"THE BOOK OF ACTS" The Conversion Of The Samaritans (8:4-13) INTRODUCTION 1. We have seen that preaching the gospel was not without controversy... a. Some took issue with the message of Christ's resurrection - Ac 4:1-3 b. Persecution became progressively worse - Ac 4:21; 5:40; 7:54-60 c. Stephen's death led to the dispersal of many Christians from Jerusalem - Ac 8:1-3 2. But as Christians were scattered abroad, so was the gospel...! a. Christians went everywhere, "preaching the word" - Ac 8:4 b. Among them was Philip, one of the seven selected in chapter six - Ac 6:5; 8:5 c. His evangelistic efforts involved the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch - Ac 8:4-40 [In this study, we shall examine "The Conversion Of The Samaritans". They were the offspring of inter-marriages at the time of Assyrian captivity (2Ki 17:24-41) and disdained by most Jews (Jn 4:9)...] I. THE MINISTRY OF PHILIP AT SAMARIA A. THEY HEEDED PHILIP... 1. He preached Christ to them - Ac 8:5 2. They heeded the things he spoke - Ac 8:6 3. Having heard and seen the miracles which he did - Ac 8:6 4. Such as casting out unclean spirits, healing the paralyzed and lame - Ac 8:7 5. Leading to great joy in the city - Ac 8:8 B. THEY FORMERLY HEEDED SIMON... 1. A sorcerer, who had astonished the people, claiming to be great - Ac 8:9 2. Of whom all had said, "This man is the great power of God - Ac 8:10 3. Astonishing them with his sorceries for a long time - Ac 8:11 C. THEY THEN BELIEVED PHILIP... 1. As he preached the kingdom of God and the name of Christ - Ac 8:12 2. They believed and were baptized, both men and women - Ac 8:12 3. Even Simon also believed and was baptized - Ac 8:13 4. Who continued with Philip, amazed at the miracles and signs he did - Ac 8:13 [This is the first gospel preaching to those not fully Jews. Let's therefore take a closer look at...] II. THE CONVERSION OF THE SAMARITANS A. THE SAMARITANS... 1. The gospel message preached by Philip a. We are told that he preached "Christ" - Ac 8:5 1) This undoubtedly included Christ's death, resurrection 2) The same things Peter preached about Christ in chapters 2 and 3 b. We are told that he preached "the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" - Ac 8:12 1) What things concerning "the kingdom of God"? a) John, Jesus, and the apostles had earlier taught the kingdom was "at hand" - cf. Mt 3:1; 4:17; 10:7 b) Later, Paul and John wrote of the kingdom as present - Col 1:13; Re 1:9 c) The expression "kingdom of God" literally means the "reign of God" d) It is likely that Philip spoke of the rule and reign of God now present in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ - cf. Mt 28:18; Ac 2:36; 5:31 2) What things concerning "the name of Jesus Christ"? a) Likely that repentance and remission of sins were now being proclaimed in His name - Lk 24:47 b) It clearly included what Jesus commanded - Mk 16:15-16 2. The response of the Samaritans a. They "heeded the things spoken by Philip"; this implies obedience - Ac 8:6; cf. He 5:9 b. They "believed" and "were baptized" - Ac 8:12 c. Like Peter, Philip faithfully fulfilled the Lord's great commission - Mk 16:15-16 d. Heeding the things spoken by Philip therefore included baptism - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16 B. SIMON THE SORCERER... 1. Was Simon truly converted? a. Many deny that he was, because of what happened afterward b. But Luke (inspired by the Holy Spirit) says Simon "also believed" - Ac 8:13 c. Simon believed just as the others did d. Therefore his faith was as real as the rest of the Samaritans e. While there may be fanciful traditions concerning Simon outside of the Bible, the indication of Scripture is that his conversion was real 2. Simon is an example of how fallen Christians can be restored a. He was later told to "repent" and "pray" - Ac 8:22 b. When a Christian sins, therefore, he needs not to be baptized again, but to repent and pray, confessing his sins - cf. 1Jn 1:9 c. Simon reveals how quickly Christians can be overtaken in sin, but also how they can obtain forgiveness and be restored! CONCLUSION 1. The conversion of the Samaritans (including Simon) is simple and straightforward... a. When Christ is preached and heeded - Ac 8:5-6 b. People will believe and be baptized - Ac 8:12-13 2. Their conversion is as simple and direct as the commission under which Philip preached... a. Jesus commanded His apostles to preach faith and baptism - Mk 16:15-16 b. Philip fulfilled that great commission regarding the Samaritans - Ac 8:12-13 How about you? Have you believed and been baptized? If so but you then strayed from the faith, have you repented and prayed like Peter later told Simon to do? In either case, do not delay to "heed" the commands of the gospel...!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012
May 19, 2014
From Mark Copeland... The Conversion Of The Samaritans (Acts 8:4-13)
From Gary... What is both near and far simultaneously?
How high do you have to be before you have reached HIGH? And, how do we perceive what is HIGH in the first place??? As I viewed this picture today, I realized that HIGH
is just a matter of perspective!!! There is something about this
picture that is very intriguing to me- its narrowness. That constriction
in width accentuates this mountain's height and makes an already high
object seem extraordinarily far away. So much so that I began to wonder
what could possibly be on such a distant peak? Humm... Could God
possibly dwell there? Consider this...
Psalm 139 (NASB)
Psa 139:1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
Psa 139:2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.
Psa 139:3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Psa 139:4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
Psa 139:5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Psa 139:7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Psa 139:10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
Psa 139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,"
Psa 139:12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.
Psa 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
Psa 139:15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Psa 139:16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Psa 139:2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.
Psa 139:3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Psa 139:4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
Psa 139:5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Psa 139:7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Psa 139:10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
Psa 139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,"
Psa 139:12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.
Psa 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
Psa 139:15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Psa 139:16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Yes, even there!!! From the depths of my being, to the remotest parts of
the Earth- God is nearby!!! I do not understand the how or the why,
but I believe it is true because the Bible tells me so. Nothing is
hidden from the ALMIGHTY- ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!
Gary- remember this the next time you are tempted to commit sin and
then-- look both without and within to find help from above!!! Humm...
the title Jehovah Jireh comes to mind... (Genesis 22:14)
From Gary... Bible Reading May 19
Bible Reading
May 19
The World English Bible
May
19
Joshua
19, 20
Jos
19:1 The second lot came out for Simeon, even for the tribe of the
children of Simeon according to their families. Their inheritance was
in the midst of the inheritance of the children of Judah.
Jos
19:2 They had for their inheritance Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,
Jos
19:3 Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,
Jos
19:4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
Jos
19:5 Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,
Jos
19:6 Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their
villages;
Jos
19:7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan; four cities with their villages;
Jos
19:8 and all the villages that were around these cities to Baalath
Beer, Ramah of the South. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the
children of Simeon according to their families.
Jos
19:9 Out of the part of the children of Judah was the inheritance of
the children of Simeon; for the portion of the children of Judah was
too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had inheritance
in the midst of their inheritance.
Jos
19:10 The third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to
their families. The border of their inheritance was to Sarid.
Jos
19:11 Their border went up westward, even to Maralah, and reached to
Dabbesheth. It reached to the brook that is before Jokneam.
Jos
19:12 It turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrise to the border
of Chisloth Tabor. It went out to Daberath, and went up to Japhia.
Jos
19:13 From there it passed along eastward to Gath Hepher, to
Ethkazin; and it went out at Rimmon which stretches to Neah.
Jos
19:14 The border turned around it on the north to Hannathon; and it
ended at the valley of Iphtah El;
Jos
19:15 Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve
cities with their villages.
Jos
19:16 This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according
to their families, these cities with their villages.
Jos
19:17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of
Issachar according to their families.
Jos
19:18 Their border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
Jos
19:19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,
Jos
19:20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,
Jos
19:21 Remeth, Engannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez.
Jos
19:22 The border reached to Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh.
Their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.
Jos
19:23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of
Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.
Jos
19:24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher
according to their families.
Jos
19:25 Their border was Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,
Jos
19:26 Allammelech, Amad, Mishal. It reached to Carmel westward, and
to Shihorlibnath.
Jos
19:27 It turned toward the sunrise to Beth Dagon, and reached to
Zebulun, and to the valley of Iphtah El northward to Beth Emek and
Neiel. It went out to Cabul on the left hand,
Jos
19:28 and Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, even to great Sidon.
Jos
19:29 The border turned to Ramah, to the fortified city of Tyre; and
the border turned to Hosah. It ended at the sea by the region of
Achzib;
Jos
19:30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty-two cities with their
villages.
Jos
19:31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher
according to their families, these cities with their villages.
Jos
19:32 The sixth lot came out for the children of Naphtali, even for
the children of Naphtali according to their families.
Jos
19:33 Their border was from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim,
Adaminekeb, and Jabneel, to Lakkum. It ended at the Jordan.
Jos
19:34 The border turned westward to Aznoth Tabor, and went out from
there to Hukkok. It reached to Zebulun on the south, and reached to
Asher on the west, and to Judah at the Jordan toward the sunrise.
Jos
19:35 The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath,
Chinnereth,
Jos
19:36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
Jos
19:37 Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor,
Jos
19:38 Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh; nineteen
cities with their villages.
Jos
19:39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of
Naphtali according to their families, the cities with their villages.
Jos
19:40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan
according to their families.
Jos
19:41 The border of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Irshemesh,
Jos
19:42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
Jos
19:43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
Jos
19:44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
Jos
19:45 Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,
Jos
19:46 Me Jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border over against Joppa.
Jos
19:47 The border of the children of Dan went out beyond them; for
the children of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and took it,
and struck it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and lived
therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.
Jos
19:48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan
according to their families, these cities with their villages.
Jos
19:49 So they made an end of distributing the land for inheritance
by its borders. The children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua
the son of Nun in the midst of them.
Jos
19:50 According to the commandment of Yahweh, they gave him the city
which he asked, even Timnathserah in the hill country of Ephraim; and
he built the city, and lived there.
Jos
19:51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua
the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of
the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance by lot in Shiloh
before Yahweh, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. So they made an
end of dividing the land.
Jos
20:1 Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying,
Jos
20:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'Assign the
cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by Moses,
Jos
20:3 that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally or
unintentionally may flee there. They shall be to you for a refuge
from the avenger of blood.
Jos
20:4 He shall flee to one of those cities, and shall stand at the
entrance of the gate of the city, and declare his cause in the ears
of the elders of that city. They shall take him into the city with
them, and give him a place, that he may live among them.
Jos
20:5 If the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not
deliver up the manslayer into his hand; because he struck his
neighbor unintentionally, and didn't hate him before.
Jos
20:6 He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the
congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that
shall be in those days. Then the manslayer shall return, and come to
his own city, and to his own house, to the city he fled from.' "
Jos
20:7 They set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of
Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba
(the same is Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
Jos
20:8 Beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in
the wilderness in the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in
Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe
of Manasseh.
Jos
20:9 These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel,
and for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any
person unintentionally might flee there, and not die by the hand of
the avenger of blood, until he stands before the congregation.
From Dave Miller, Ph.D. .... The Euthyphro Dilemma
http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=4102
The Euthyphro Dilemma
by | Dave Miller, Ph.D. |
Q:
What do atheists mean when they speak of the “Euthyphro Dilemma” as a means to discredit theism?A:
The so-called Euthyphro Dilemma has its genesis in Plato’s dialogue Euthyphro in which Socrates and Euthyphro discuss the nature of piety: “Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?” (2008). Over time, philosophers have sharpened the salient point of the dilemma by presenting it in a modified form. The world-renowned late atheist philosopher Antony G.N. Flew worded the argument this way: “Are the things which are good good because God approves of those things, or is it the case that God approves of those things which are good because they are good?” (Warren and Flew, 1977, p. 26). By this thorny contention, the atheist hopes to dismiss the notion of God by placing the theist in an untenable dilemma.On the one hand, if an action is right simply because God approves it, then morality would be the product of the arbitrary will of God, which He could just as easily alter. Instead of saying that lying and murder are wrong, He could just as well have said they are right—and that divine intention would make them so. On the other hand, if God approves of an action because it is inherently good, then an objective standard exists outside of God that He merely acknowledges. Such a law would therefore be above and higher than God. By the Euthyphro Dilemma, atheists think they have demonstrated that good is either above or beneath God and thereby proof that God is not God (see Figure 1).
|
|
Figure 1:
The Euthyphro Dilemma |
Figure 2: Reality |
REFERENCES
Plato (2008), Euthyphro, trans. Benjamin Jowett, http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1642/1642-h/1642-h.htm.Warren, Thomas and Antony G.N. Flew (1977), The Warren-Flew Debate on the Existence of God (Ramer, TN: National Christian Press), info@nationalchristianpress.net.
From Jim McGuiggan... Sin-bearing and sacrifice
Sin-bearing and sacrifice
Leviticus 10:17 (NIV) says, “Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the sanctuary area? It is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt
of the community by making atonement for them before the Lord.” Numbers
18:1 (NIV) says, “The Lord said to Aaron, ‘You, your sons and your
father’s family are to bear the responsibility for offenses against the sanctuary, and you and your sons alone are to bear the responsibility
for offenses against the priesthood.” The RSV and numerous other
versions give “bear iniquity” for the italicized phrases in both
passages. In Hebrew it’s the same phrase.
The two passages are helpful because they offer insight on the matter
of “bearing iniquity”. If a person is said to “bear his iniquity” it
means he takes the consequences of his own sins on his own shoulders and
deals with it however is appropriate. That makes sense. But Leviticus
10:17 and Numbers 18:1 show us that it’s possible for someone (in these
cases a priest) to bear the iniquity of someone else. How does that
work?
Well, in the texts above Aaron and his sons are given the
responsibility to bear the sins of the people, whether it’s sin in
general or sins against the tabernacle itself. There is nothing to
suggest that the sins of the people are transferred to the priests so
that the priests become guilty. No, to bear their iniquity means to make
atonement for them. The NIV makes that clear by adding the word “by”
which explains how the priests “take away” the guilt of the people. The
priests “bear the iniquity” of the transgressor by doing for him what
he cannot do for himself, “by making atonement for them.”
Every time we read of a priest making atonement for someone, that priest is “bearing sin” for the transgressor. But it has nothing to do with the transference of guilt.
The whole process beginning with the sinner coming with his sacrifice,
giving it to the priest who handles the sacrifice on behalf of the
sinner in offering it to God—that whole process is “making atonement”.
It isn’t a question of transferring sin at all. The sin isn’t
transferred it is forgiven because it is atoned. The person who atones
for the sinner is the priest (Leviticus 10:17 and everywhere else). The
place of atonement is the altar (or the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur)
and the atoning sacrifice is the offering itself.
The thrust of this short piece is to make the point that “bearing
iniquity” is something the priest does for the sinner that he can’t do
for himself. And that there is nothing in his “bearing their sin” that
involves the transference of the sinner’s sin to the priest. The priest
doesn’t become the sinner. He doesn’t even pretend that he’s the sinner.
Nor does the priest become sinful as he makes atonement.
We have the priest, the sinner and the sacrifice. The sacrifice is
always spotless (or atonement can’t be made). The priest is the sinner’s
representative who does for the sinner what the sinner can’t do for
himself. (This is the way in which the priest bears the sinner’s sin.)
The sinner is always the sinner but he becomes a forgiven sinner when
the priest on the sinner’s behalf bears his sin to the place of
sacrifice (compare 1 Peter 2:24).
But is it not true that the sacrifice bears the sinner’s sin? No doubt, but whether or not that is true this
is true: the priest is expressly said to bear the sinner’s sin. All
that the priests did on Israel’s behalf is brought to focus on the Day
of Atonement (see Leviticus 16) when the High Priest, fully garbed as
Israel’s representative, enters the Holy of Holies with the twelve
stones on his breastplate representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
There he goes, doing for them what they can’t do for themselves, bearing
their iniquity and making atonement.
©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.
Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.
Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.
May 18, 2014
From Gary.... Someday
Nice idea, poor execution. Obvious to even the casual observer, but then
again, its easy to find fault with what others do, isn't it? I wonder,
what about your plan- I mean your plan for LIFE? Sure, you may have an
IRA or some such vehicle for your money, but is money all there is to
life? Isn't there more to life than possessions??? Jesus says...
Luke, Chapter 12 (NASB)
Luk 12:15 Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against
every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his
life consist of his possessions."
Luk 12:16 And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.
Luk 12:17 "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'
Luk 12:18 "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
Luk 12:19 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'
Luk 12:20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'
Luk 12:21 "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Luk 12:22 And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
Luk 12:23 "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
Luk 12:24 "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!
Luk 12:25 "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span?
Luk 12:26 "If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?
Luk 12:27 "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
Luk 12:28 "But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!
Luk 12:29 "And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.
Luk 12:30 "For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
Luk 12:31 "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
Luk 12:16 And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.
Luk 12:17 "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'
Luk 12:18 "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
Luk 12:19 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'
Luk 12:20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'
Luk 12:21 "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Luk 12:22 And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
Luk 12:23 "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
Luk 12:24 "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!
Luk 12:25 "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span?
Luk 12:26 "If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?
Luk 12:27 "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
Luk 12:28 "But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!
Luk 12:29 "And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.
Luk 12:30 "For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
Luk 12:31 "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
We plan for our future, why not for our eternal future? I am here to
tell you that no matter how much money you have, it will never be
enough!!! On this lazy Sunday afternoon, take a few moments to think
about your heavenly retirement plan; if you haven't got one, get one.
And don't forget to include Jesus- you will be glad you did-- someday!!!
From Gary... Bible Reading May 18
Bible Reading
May 18
The World English Bible
May
18
Joshua
17, 18
Jos
17:1 This was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the
firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the
father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, therefore he had
Gilead and Bashan.
Jos
17:2 So this was for the rest of the children of Manasseh according
to their families: for the children of Abiezer, for the children of
Helek, for the children of Asriel, for the children of Shechem, for
the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were
the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph according to their
families.
Jos
17:3 But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son
of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these
are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and
Tirzah.
Jos
17:4 They came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the
son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, "Yahweh commanded
Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." Therefore
according to the commandment of Yahweh he gave them an inheritance
among the brothers of their father.
Jos
17:5 Ten parts fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and
Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan;
Jos
17:6 because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his
sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of
Manasseh.
Jos
17:7 The border of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, which is
before Shechem. The border went along to the right hand, to the
inhabitants of En Tappuah.
Jos
17:8 The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh; but Tappuah on the
border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim.
Jos
17:9 The border went down to the brook of Kanah, southward of the
brook. These cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh.
The border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and ended
at the sea.
Jos
17:10 Southward it was Ephraim's, and northward it was Manasseh's,
and the sea was his border. They reached to Asher on the north, and
to Issachar on the east.
Jos
17:11 Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean
and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor
and its towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and its towns, and the
inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo
and its towns.
Jos
17:12 Yet the children of Manasseh couldn't drive out the
inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that
land.
Jos
17:13 It happened, when the children of Israel had grown strong,
that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, and didn't utterly
drive them out.
Jos
17:14 The children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, "Why have
you given me just one lot and one part for an inheritance, since I am
a great people, because Yahweh has blessed me so far?"
Jos
17:15 Joshua said to them, "If you are a great people, go up to
the forest, and clear land for yourself there in the land of the
Perizzites and of the Rephaim; since the hill country of Ephraim is
too narrow for you."
Jos
17:16 The children of Joseph said, "The hill country is not
enough for us. All the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley
have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth Shean and its
towns, and those who are in the valley of Jezreel."
Jos
17:17 Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to
Manasseh, saying, "You are a great people, and have great power.
You shall not have one lot only;
Jos
17:18 but the hill country shall be yours. Although it is a forest,
you shall cut it down, and it's farthest extent shall be yours; for
you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of
iron, and though they are strong."
Jos
18:1 The whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled
themselves together at Shiloh, and set up the Tent of Meeting there.
The land was subdued before them.
Jos
18:2 Seven tribes remained among the children of Israel, which had
not yet divided their inheritance.
Jos
18:3 Joshua said to the children of Israel, "How long will you
neglect to go in to possess the land, which Yahweh, the God of your
fathers, has given you?
Jos
18:4 Appoint for yourselves three men from each tribe. I will send
them, and they shall arise, walk through the land, and describe it
according to their inheritance; and they shall come to me.
Jos
18:5 They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall live in
his borders on the south, and the house of Joseph shall live in their
borders on the north.
Jos
18:6 You shall survey the land into seven parts, and bring the
description here to me; and I will cast lots for you here before
Yahweh our God.
Jos
18:7 For the Levites have no portion among you; for the priesthood
of Yahweh is their inheritance. Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of
Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan eastward,
which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them."
Jos
18:8 The men arose and went. Joshua commanded those who went to
survey the land, saying, "Go walk through the land, survey it,
and come again to me. I will cast lots for you here before Yahweh in
Shiloh."
Jos
18:9 The men went and passed through the land, and surveyed it by
cities into seven portions in a book. They came to Joshua to the camp
at Shiloh.
Jos
18:10 Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Yahweh. There
Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their
divisions.
Jos
18:11 The lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up
according to their families. The border of their lot went out between
the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.
Jos
18:12 Their border on the north quarter was from the Jordan. The
border went up to the side of Jericho on the north, and went up
through the hill country westward. It ended at the wilderness of Beth
Aven.
Jos
18:13 The border passed along from there to Luz, to the side of Luz
(the same is Bethel), southward. The border went down to Ataroth
Addar, by the mountain that lies on the south of Beth HBible Reading May 18oron the
lower.
Jos
18:14 The border extended, and turned around on the west quarter
southward, from the mountain that lies before Beth Horon southward;
and ended at Kiriath Baal (the same is Kiriath Jearim), a city of
the children of Judah. This was the west quarter.
Jos
18:15 The south quarter was from the farthest part of Kiriath
Jearim. The border went out westward, and went out to the spring of
the waters of Nephtoah.
Jos
18:16 The border went down to the farthest part of the mountain that
lies before the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is in the valley
of Rephaim northward. It went down to the valley of Hinnom, to the
side of the Jebusite southward, and went down to En Rogel.
Jos
18:17 It extended northward, went out at En Shemesh, and went out to
Geliloth, which is over against the ascent of Adummim. It went down
to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
Jos
18:18 It passed along to the side over against the Arabah northward,
and went down to the Arabah.
Jos
18:19 The border passed along to the side of Beth Hoglah northward;
and the border ended at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at the south
end of the Jordan. This was the south border.
Jos
18:20 The Jordan was its border on the east quarter. This was the
inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the borders around it,
according to their families.
Jos
18:21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin
according to their families were Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,
Jos
18:22 Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel,
Jos
18:23 Avvim, Parah, Ophrah,
Jos
18:24 Chephar Ammoni, Ophni, and Geba; twelve cities with their
villages.
Jos
18:25 Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth,
Jos
18:26 Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,
Jos
18:27 Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,
Jos
18:28 Zelah, Eleph, the Jebusite (the same is Jerusalem), Gibeath,
and Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the
inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
May
18, 19
John
2
Joh
2:1 The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus'
mother was there.
Joh
2:2 Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage.
Joh
2:3 When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to him, "They
have no wine."
Joh
2:4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with
you and me? My hour has not yet come."
Joh
2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever he says to you,
do it."
Joh
2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews'
manner of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.
Joh
2:7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water."
They filled them up to the bBible Reading May 18Bible Reading May 18rim.Bible Reading May 18
Joh
2:8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the
ruler of the feast." So they took it.
Joh
2:9 When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine,
and didn't know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn
the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom,
Joh
2:10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and
when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have
kept the good wine until now!"
Joh
2:11 This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and
revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Joh
2:12 After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his
brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.
Joh
2:13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem.
Joh
2:14 He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
and the changers of money sitting.
Joh
2:15 He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both
the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and
overthrew their tables.
Joh
2:16 To those who sold the doves, he said, "Take these things
out of here! Don't make my Father's house a marketplace!"
Joh
2:17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for
your house will eat me up."
Joh
2:18 The Jews therefore answered him, "What sign do you show
us, seeing that you do these things?"
Joh
2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three
days I will raise it up."
Joh
2:20 The Jews therefore said, "Forty-six years was this temple
in building, and will you raise it up in three days?"
Joh
2:21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.
Joh
2:22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples
remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and
the word which Jesus had said.
Joh
2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast,
many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.
Joh
2:24 But Jesus didn't trust himself to them, because he knew
everyone,
Joh
2:25 and because he didn't need for anyone to testify concerning
man; for he himself knew what was in man.
From Mark Copeland... Saul The Persecutor (Acts 8:1-3)
"THE BOOK OF ACTS" Saul The Persecutor (8:1-3) INTRODUCTION 1. Following Stephen's death, a great persecution arose against the church... a. Disciples in Jerusalem were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria - Ac 8:1 b. The apostles, however, remained in Jerusalem - ibid. 2. Leading the persecution against the church was a young man... a. Whose name was Saul - Ac 8:3 b. Who later became known as Paul, the apostle - cf. Ac 13:9 (We will consider Saul's conversion later. But to appreciate the significance of his conversion, we should know his background and what motivated him as a persecutor, beginning with Saul's...] I. EARLY LIFE AND TRAINING A. HIS ANCESTRY AND YOUTH... 1. Born in Tarsus of Cilicia - Ac 21:39; 22:3; 23:34 a. Cilicia was a Roman province in SE Asia Minor (modern Turkey) b. Tarsus was the capital ("no mean city"), known for its culture and learning said to exceed even those of Athens and Alexandria - Strabo, Geography 14.5 2. Born of Jewish ancestry a. A Hebrew, or Israelite, of the seed of Abraham - 2Co 11:22 b. Of the tribe of Benjamin - Ro 11:1 c. A Hebrew of the Hebrews (both parents Hebrews?) - Php 3:5 3. Born a Roman citizen - Ac 22:25-29 a. Some think because Tarsus was a free city, but such a designation did not automatically impart citizenship b. One of Paul's ancestors either purchased or was rewarded citizenship for services rendered to Rome - W. M. Ramsay c. We do not know the date of his birth, some place it around the time of Jesus' birth B. HIS EDUCATION... 1. Taught in Jerusalem by Gamaliel, a Pharisee and respected teacher of the Law - Ac 22:3; cf. Ac 5:34-40 2. A son of a Pharisee, he became a strict Pharisee - Ac 23:6; 26:4-5; Php 3:5 3. He excelled above his contemporaries in Judaism - Ga 1:13-14 4. Was also trained as tent-maker - Ac 18:1-3 C. HIS CHARACTER... 1. He was zealous in persecuting the church, concerning the Law blameless - Php 3:6 2. He served God with a pure conscience - 2Ti 1:3; Ac 23:1 3. Thus he was ignorant of his blasphemy and persecution - 1Ti 1:12-13 [With his early life and training, Saul of Tarsus was on the "fast track" when it came to his religious faith. It was sincere zeal in defending his faith that led to his brief but fervent career as...] II. PERSECUTOR OF THE CHURCH A. AT THE DEATH OF STEPHEN... 1. Saul was present at the death of the first Christian martyr - Ac 7:57-58 2. He consented to the death of Stephen - Ac 8:1; 22:20 B. MAKING HAVOC OF THE CHURCH... 1. Entering homes, dragging men and women to prison - Ac 8:3; 22:4 2. Entering synagogues, imprisoning and beating those who believed in Jesus - Ac 22:19 3. He believed it necessary to do things contrary to the name of Jesus - Ac 26:9-11 a. Imprisoning believers by the authority of the chief priests b. Casting his vote against them as they were put to death c. Compelling them to blaspheme d. Pursuing them to foreign cities (such as Damascus) - cf. Ac 9:1-2 C. HIS LATER CONFESSION... 1. Admits he persecuted the church "beyond measure" in an attempt to destroy it - Ga 1:13 2. It was due to his great zeal - Php 3:6 3. Though ignorant, he was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent man - 1Ti 1:13 4. For such reasons, he considered himself the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle - 1Co 15:9 CONCLUSION 1. From being the worst foe of the church, Paul would later become one of its best friends... a. Saul the persecutor would soon become Paul the preacher - Ga 1:22-24 b. Paul attributed it to the grace and mercy of God - 1Co 15:9-10; 1Ti 1:12-14 2. Every aspect of Saul's life prior to his conversion prepared him for the task the Lord gave him... a. His Jewish heritage and Roman citizenship suited him for preaching to both Jews and Gentiles b. His training by Gamaliel would serve him well in his writings on the Law in Romans, Galatians c. His skill as a tent-maker would assist him in his travels d. Even his history as persecutor would strengthen his testimony as an eyewitness of Christ But most of all, his conversion despite his persecution of the church serves as a wonderful example of God's mercy: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." - 1Ti 1:15-16 Have you obtained the mercy offered in Jesus Christ (Tit 3:4-7)? No matter how you have lived in the past, you can be justified by His grace...! - Ac 22:16
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012
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