"THE BOOK OF ACTS" The Call Of Barnabas And Saul (13:1-3) INTRODUCTION 1. In Acts 1:8, Luke described the commission Jesus gave to His apostles... a. To be witnesses to Him b. In Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth 2. Thus far in his historical account, Luke has described how the commission was fulfilled... a. In Jerusalem - Ac 1:1-8:3 b. In all Judea and Samaria - Ac 8:4-12:25 3. The rest of Luke's account focuses on the ministry of the apostle Paul... a. Saul of Tarsus, former persecutor of the church, now apostle to the Gentiles b. Whose missionary journeys illustrated how the gospel was taken "to the end of the earth" [His first journey began soon after returning to Antioch of Syria with Barnabas and John Mark (Ac 12:25), with a special call by the Holy Spirit...] I. THE CALL OF BARNABAS AND SAUL A. THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH... 1. Started by men from Cyprus and Cyrene, by way of Jerusalem - Ac 11:19-21 2. Strengthened by Barnabas, then later together with Paul - Ac 11:22-26 3. Blessed with a number of prophets and teachers - Ac 13:1 a. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus - Ac 4:36 b. Simeon called Niger ("black"), presumably a black African, possibly Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus' cross - cf. Lk 23:26; Mk 15:21 c. Lucius of Cyrene, also from North Africa - cf. Ro 16:21 d. Manaen, brought up with Herod the tetrarch (Herod Antipas, who killed John the Baptist and tried Jesus) - Mt 14:1-10; Lk 23:7-11 e. Saul, from Tarsus in Cilicia - Ac 11:25; 22:3 B. THE CALL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT... 1. As they ministered (worshiped) to the Lord and fasted - Ac 13:2 2. The Spirit told them to separate Barnabas and Saul for the work He had for them - Ac 13:2 3. With fasting, prayer, and the laying on of hands, they are sent on their way - Ac 13:3 [And so Barnabas and Saul are "sent out by the Holy Spirit" (Ac 13:4). Our next study will follow them as they make their way to the island of Cyprus. But for the rest of this study, allow me to share...] II. SOME OBSERVATIONS A. THE DIVERSITY OF THE CHURCH... 1. Note the racial, cultural and social diversity of the five prophets and teachers 2. Two from North Africa, one from Cyprus, one from Cilicia, one from Palestine 3. One was raised with royalty, another was wealthy, another a rabbi 4. Isn't this the way churches should be? - cf. Ro 10:12; Ga 3:26-28; Col 3:11 5. Churches should reflect our oneness in Christ, not our society's divisions (e.g., white churches, black churches, Hispanic churches); unless language differences are too great B. THE PRINCIPLE OF SYNERGY... 1. Synergy: the working together of two things to produce a result greater than the sum of their individual effects 2. Two (or more) working together can accomplish more than their working separately 3. Jesus believed in the principle of synergy - Mk 6:7; Lk 10:1 4. Barnabas believed in the principle of synergy - Ac 11:25-26 5. The Holy Spirit believed in the principle of synergy - Ac 13:2,4 6. We do well to support teams of two or more, not just individuals working alone C. THE PRACTICE OF FASTING... 1. Jesus said His disciples would fast, and taught them how to fast - Mt 9:14-17; 6:16-18 2. The church at Antioch fasted - Ac 13:2-3 3. Elders were appointed with prayer and fasting - Ac 14:21-23 4. Paul wrote of spouses fasting and prayer during periods of separation - 1Co 7:5 5. Fasting in conjunction with prayer is suitable in the life of the Christian and the church D. THE LAYING ON OF HANDS... 1. Used often in the appointment or dedication of service - Ac 6:6; 13:3 2. Indicating acceptance and approval of those who have been selected by the congregation - cf. Ac 6:1-6; 1Ti 5:22; He 6:2 3. Beseeching God's blessing and protection on those who serve - e.g., Ac 13:1-3 4. "...the imposition of hands, accompanied by fasting and prayer, was, in this case, as in that of the seven deacons [Ac 6:6], merely their formal separation to the special work to which they had been called. This, indeed, is sufficiently evident from the context. What they did was doubtless what they had been told to do by the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit simply said to them, 'Separate me Barnabas and Saul to the work to which I have called them.' The fasting, prayer, and imposition of hands was, then, merely their separation to this work." - J. W. McGarvey, Commentary on Acts, commenting on Ac 13:1-3 5. "It was a ceremony deemed by infinite wisdom suitable to such a purpose; and, therefore, whenever a congregation has a similar purpose to accomplish, they have, in this case, the judgments and will of God, which should be their guide." - J.W. McGarvey, ibid. CONCLUSION 1. Thus Barnabas and Saul are sent out on their missionary journey... a. Separated and sent out by the Holy Spirit Himself to the task before them b. With fasting, prayer, and the laying on of hands by those left behind 2. Barnabas and Saul will return to the church of Antioch of Syria... a. It will serve as the point of departure for Paul's three missionary journeys b. As Saul, soon to be called Paul (Ac 13:9), does his part in fulfilling the Great Commission Thousands of years later and thousands of miles away, we benefit from the work of those willing to go (and willing to send). May their example encourage us to do our part today in spreading the Gospel...
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012
June 4, 2014
From Mark Copeland... The Call Of Barnabas And Saul (Acts 13:1-3)
by Kyle Butt, M.A. ... Stephen Hawking Is Wrong, God Created the Universe
http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3768
Stephen Hawking Is Wrong, God Created the Universe
by | Kyle Butt, M.A. |
Stephen Hawking is a brilliant scientist. He has battled a crippling disease since he was 20, made a name for himself on a global scale through his scientific prowess, and been an inspiration to many. But in his latest book, The Grand Design, he is just plain wrong. Michael Holden wrote an article he titled: “‘God Did Not Create the Universe,’ Says Hawking,” in which he stated that Hawking’s new book, co-authored with Leonard Mlodinow, proposes the idea that the laws which hold the Universe together do not need an intelligent Designer.
In fact, Holden quoted Hawking as saying: “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist” (as quoted in Holden, 2010, emp. added). While the book is not yet on the shelves, there are already glaring flaws with Hawking’s reasoning.
First, Hawking cannot explain why the law of gravity exists in the first place. He says “because there is a law of gravity,” but he can give no reason why such a law is present, and is constant. Without an adequate explanation for the origin of laws, such as gravity, any explanation of the origin of a Universe dependent on those laws is incomplete. Furthermore, regardless of what theoretical, mathematical calculations Hawking has concocted, the simple fact of the matter is, if there ever was a time when nothing existed, there would be nothing now. The mere fact that Hawking suggests that anything can “spontaneously create itself out of nothing,” is, with all due respect, ridiculously absurd and completely unscientific! It is impossible to get something from nothing—any way you slice it. Using Hawking’s way of thinking, we could suggest that this article you are reading “spontaneously created itself out of nothing.” Yet such a conclusion defies all known scientific laws.
In Acts 26:24, the Roman governor Festus said to the apostle Paul: “You are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” While that accusation did not accurately apply to Paul, it does, unfortunately, apply to Hawking’s concept of “spontaneous creation out of nothing.” The Psalmist wrote: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Sadly, Hawking’s brilliant mind has been turned to false, unscientific foolishness. Would to God that Hawking and all his fellow scientists would turn to the God of the Bible who speaks “the words of truth and reason” (Acts 26:25).
REFERENCE
From Jim McGuiggan... Did Jesus ever want to sin?
Did Jesus ever want to sin?
The basic idea in the various forms of the Hebrew and Greek words behind our word tempt is to attempt
something. You can still see that notion in some NT texts that have no
religious significance; texts such as Acts 17:7 where Paul and his
companions tried to enter Bithynia and in 9:26 where Paul tried to join
himself with fellow-disciples and in 26:21 where some Jews made the attempt
to kill Paul. In Deuteronomy 3:24 we have the word used in two senses.
God wants to know if any other god had made the attempt (tried) to
rescue another nation for himself by trials. And on the illustrations
go.
But
the basic idea doesn't show in most texts and the prominent idea is
testing or subjecting to a trial. Often it is Israel that puts God to
the test (tempts him) as in passages like Exodus 17:2, 7 and sometimes
it is God who puts his elect to the test (tempts them) as we can see
from Genesis 22:1 and Deuteronomy 8:2 and in Exodus 16:4 where God tests
(tempts) them to see if they will obey his instructions.
In comparing how the same words are used we learn the difference in meaning depends on motivation and purpose.
Israel puts God to the test when their hearts are evil and that spirit
gives the testing its moral quality. Their rescue from Egypt, Gods
keeping his word to Abraham and his children all that is forgotten and
distrust and ingratitude lead them to test God. You come across a lot of
this in the Gospels when people come to test (tempt) Jesus.
The words are never used of God testing the non-elect and this suggests a specifically covenantal quality and though this does not
mean that God doesn't put the non-elect to the test, it does mean that
OT texts relate peculiarly to the elect. Gods testing of Abraham or his
elect nation doesn't rise out of spite or some wicked motive. Its what
loving parents often do with their children, its what good coaches do
with athletes or what good teachers do with students. The aim of testing
(tempting) is not to produce failure but the reverse. This pure purpose
to bring about blessing (to someone somewhere) gives the temptation its
moral quality.
Some
might have been tempted and fallen into evil and wanted to justify
their fall, to excuse themselves and claim it was Gods doing, but James
1:13-17 will not allow that. James makes several assertions.
1) He says God cannot be tempted with evil.
2) He says God doesnt tempt anyone (to do evil).
3) He says a man is tempted (to evil) by his inner workings.
In saying that God
cannot be tempted James isn't denying that Israel tempted God; he is
saying there is nothing in God himself that can respond to an
opportunity to sin. This not only says something about the inexpressible
holiness of God, it underscores the next point.
God
is so far removed from sin because of his own nature, he can never
approve of it; his spirit is forever set against sin. This means that no
one should think that God wanted him to sin, that God thought or thinks
that it is a good thing for the man to sin. God knows we will sin when
put to the test and he will use even our sin to further his blessed
purposes but the sinful choice is our choice and not his and it is not to our credit that he is able to use our evil to bring good.
We
who are sinful have been shaped by sinning and when the occasion
presents itself outside us and we are seduced by it into sinning its
because we have it in us to sin when the opportunity becomes available.
This should lead us to understand that our being tempted and Jesus being tempted are the same but different.
Satan
is presented as tempting Jesus to do evil and as tempting us to do
evil. The aim is the same and the satanic motive is the same but the
inner workings of temptation are not the same because in us there is the
moral capacity to want to do
evil and this was absent in Jesus. To be willing to do evil or to want
to do it is already a moral defect (compare Matthew 5:28 and texts like
it). There was nothing of that in Jesus so when the invitation
(temptation) to sin came to him it didn't come to him out of his sinful
willingness (see again James 1:14).
The
perfect holiness of the Christ was gained by ceaseless adoration of his
Holy Father and the practice of righteousness. This one was so healthy that the sinful virus could find no place in him as it initially found and now finds in us.
Temptation, for us, is a complex combination of our inner make-up and the thing outside us so that in our experience
temptation includes our capacity to be attracted by the evil and then
carrying it out. When we resist temptation we have by Gods grace said no
both to the offer outside us and no to the inner attraction we feel for
what is offered. In such a case we not only say no to the act we say no
to the sinful bias that is now a part of us.
But even that needs further development. Its untrue to say that a temptation is not really a temptation unless
we find the offer appealing, that we would like to do it. Praise God
there are hosts of people among us who have so outgrown specific evils
that when the offer is made to them they hardly take notice of it. They
have become so inwardly shaped and strengthened that the offer which
continues to be real is rightly dismissed as no temptation at all.
We should take great comfort in that! It means that by God's grace there are some things to which we can say a resounding no and
what's more, were expected to do just that; see Titus 2:11-12! [That
strengthening grace from God is extended to us in so many ways, family,
friends, experiences, honourable acquaintances, good response and many
more. But never by magic.]
[In saying that Jesus was tempted as we have been tempted were not to conclude that there were times when he wanted to do evil. To want
to do evil is evil! This would mean that the temptations that came
Jesus' way were not beaten by a sheer act of conscious willing; they were
beaten by the set of his heart, the vision of his soul and the practice
of righteousness. This would mean that there were opportunities to sin
that he hardly noticed and that when the screws were turned and the
pressure of circumstances became a very great burden he called on his
training and the discipline of his soul and his unswerving loyalty to
his Holy Father and his purposes.
Its
important to say that the set of Jesus heart was made up of innumerable
small decisions to do what is right when it was easy to do what was
right. He didn't come into our human life with an already existing inner
armour. He grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with God. See Luke
2:40, 52.]
©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.
June 3, 2014
From Gary... At the "core" of...
Two days ago, I watched the Disney movie "John Carter" again, so it came
as no surprise when I saw this volcanic picture that I thought of the
Edgar Rice Burrough's book "At Earth's core". Written just about 100
years ago, it still had an attraction for me and I must say that I
thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I can't remember all the details, but
500 miles below the surface, our hero encounters intelligent flying
reptiles in a prehistoric land called Pellicular. Wow, I surprised even
myself on this one, because I read it a couple of years ago. Memory is
such a fleeting thing, but it is of utmost importance. What we remember
can literally make the difference between heaven and hell. Consider
this passage from the Psalms...
Psalm 119
Psa 119:9 b Beth. How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
Psa 119:10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Psa 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
Psa 119:12 Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes.
Psa 119:13 With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth.
Psa 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.
Psa 119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways.
Psa 119:16 I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.
Psa 119:10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Psa 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
Psa 119:12 Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes.
Psa 119:13 With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth.
Psa 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.
Psa 119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways.
Psa 119:16 I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.
Purity is something we all have to strive for. The best way I have
found to help in this effort is to read your Bible and remember it.
Admittedly, the remembering part is a bit more difficult than it used to
be, but then, that is mitigated by decades of experiences. You or I may
never achieve a "hero" status, but we can do, what we can do. So, do
that and leave the rest up to God. He is the real HERO anyway!!!
From Gary... Bible Reading June 3
Bible Reading
June 3
The World English Bible
June
3
Ruth
3, 4
Rth
3:1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not
seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
Rth
3:2 Now isn't Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold,
he winnows barley tonight in the threshing floor.
Rth
3:3 Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, and put your
clothing on yourself, and go down to the threshing floor, but don't
make yourself known to the man, until he has finished eating and
drinking.
Rth
3:4 It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall mark the place
where he shall lie, and you shall go in, and uncover his feet, and
lay down; then he will tell you what you shall do.
Rth
3:5 She said to her, All that you say I will do.
Rth
3:6 She went down to the threshing floor, and did according to all
that her mother-in-law told her.
Rth
3:7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went
to lie down at the end of the heap of grain: and she came softly, and
uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
Rth
3:8 It happened at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned
himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Rth
3:9 He said, Who are you? She answered, I am Ruth your handmaid:
spread therefore your skirt over your handmaid; for you are a near
kinsman.
Rth
3:10 He said, Blessed are you by Yahweh, my daughter: you have shown
more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as
you didn't follow young men, whether poor or rich.
Rth
3:11 Now, my daughter, don't be afraid; I will do to you all that
you say; for all the city of my people does know that you are a
worthy woman.
Rth
3:12 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman; however there is a
kinsman nearer than I.
Rth
3:13 Stay this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he
will perform for you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the
kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman for you,
then will I do the part of a kinsman for you, as Yahweh lives: lie
down until the morning.
Rth
3:14 She lay at his feet until the morning. She rose up before one
could discern another. For he said, Let it not be known that the
woman came to the threshing floor.
Rth
3:15 He said, Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it; and she
held it; and he measured six measures
of barley, and laid it on her: and he went into the city.
Rth
3:16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Who are you, my
daughter? She told her all that the man had done to her.
Rth
3:17 She said, These six measures
of barley gave he me; for he said, "Don't go empty to your
mother-in-law."
Rth
3:18 Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how
the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he has
finished the thing this day."
Rth
4:1 Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there: and
behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said,
Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. He turned aside, and sat
down.
Rth
4:2 He took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit down
here. They sat down.
Rth
4:3 He said to the near kinsman, Naomi, who has come back out of the
country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother
Elimelech's:
Rth
4:4 I thought to disclose it to you, saying, Buy it before those who
sit here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it,
redeem it: but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may
know; for there is none to redeem it besides you; and I am after you.
He said, I will redeem it.
Rth
4:5 Then said Boaz, On the day you buy the field from the hand of
Naomi, you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the
dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance.
Rth
4:6 The near kinsman said, I can't redeem it for myself, lest I mar
my own inheritance: take my right of redemption on you; for I can't
redeem it.
Rth
4:7 Now this was the custom
in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning
exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave
it to his neighbor; and this was the manner
of attestation in Israel.
Rth
4:8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, Buy it for yourself. He drew
off his shoe.
Rth
4:9 Boaz said to the elders, and to all the people, You are
witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and
all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
Rth
4:10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I
purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his
inheritance, that the name of the dead not be cut off from among his
brothers, and from the gate of his place: you are witnesses this day.
Rth
4:11 All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, We
are witnesses. Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house
like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of Israel: and
treat you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
Rth
4:12 and let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore
to Judah, of the seed which Yahweh shall give you of this young
woman.
Rth
4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to
her, and Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son.
Rth
4:14 The women said to Naomi, Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left
you this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in
Israel.
Rth
4:15 He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your
old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to
you than seven sons, has borne him.
Rth
4:16 Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became
nurse to it.
Rth
4:17 The women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son
born to Naomi; and they named him Obed: he is the father of Jesse,
the father of David.
Rth
4:18 Now this is the history of the generations of Perez: Perez
became the father of Hezron,
Rth
4:19 and Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father
of Amminadab,
Rth
4:20 and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became
the father of Salmon,
Rth
4:21 and Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the
father of Obed,
Rth
4:22 and Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the
father of David.
Jun.
3, 4
John
10
Joh
10:1 "Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn't enter by the
door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a
thief and a robber.
Joh
10:2 But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Joh
10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to
his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
Joh
10:4 Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and
the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
Joh
10:5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from
him; for they don't know the voice of strangers."
Joh
10:6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn't understand
what he was telling them.
Joh
10:7 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most certainly, I
tell you, I am the sheep's door.
Joh
10:8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep
didn't listen to them.
Joh
10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and
will go in and go out, and will find pasture.
Joh
10:10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that
they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
Joh
10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life
for the sheep.
Joh
10:12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own
the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The
wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.
Joh
10:13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't
care for the sheep.
Joh
10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my
own;
Joh
10:15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down
my life for the sheep.
Joh
10:16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring
them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock
with one shepherd.
Joh
10:17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life,
that I may take it again.
Joh
10:18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I
have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I
received this commandment from my Father."
Joh
10:19 Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of
these words.
Joh
10:20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane! Why do
you listen to him?"
Joh
10:21 Others said, "These are not the sayings of one possessed
by a demon. It isn't possible for a demon to open the eyes of the
blind, is it?"
Joh
10:22 It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem.
Joh
10:23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in
Solomon's porch.
Joh
10:24 The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How
long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us
plainly."
Joh
10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don't believe.
The works that I do in my Father's name, these testify about me.
Joh
10:26 But you don't believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I
told you.
Joh
10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Joh
10:28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no
one will snatch them out of my hand.
Joh
10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No
one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.
Joh
10:30 I and the Father are one."
Joh
10:31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Joh
10:32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works
from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?"
Joh
10:33 The Jews answered him, "We don't stone you for a good
work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself
God."
Joh
10:34 Jesus answered them, "Isn't it written in your law, 'I
said, you are gods?'
Joh
10:35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the
Scripture can't be broken),
Joh
10:36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the
world, 'You blaspheme,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God?'
Joh
10:37 If I don't do the works of my Father, don't believe me.
Joh
10:38 But if I do them, though you don't believe me, believe the
works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I
in the Father."
Joh
10:39 They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand.
Joh
10:40 He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John
was baptizing at first, and there he stayed.
Joh
10:41 Many came to him. They said, "John indeed did no sign,
but everything that John said about this man is true."
Joh
10:42 Many believed in him there.
From Mark Copeland... Herod's Harassment Of The Church (Acts 12:1-25)
"THE BOOK OF ACTS" Herod's Harassment Of The Church (12:1-25) INTRODUCTION 1. We have seen that with Saul's conversion the persecution against the church diminished... a. The churches in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee had peace - Ac 9:31 b. The gospel had spread as far as Antioch in Syria - Ac 11:19-21 2. But then a new persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem... a. Initiated by Herod Agrippa I - Ac 12:1 b. His grandfather was Herod the Great, who massacred the babies - Mt 2:16 c. His uncle was Herod Antipas, who beheaded John, and tried Jesus - Mt 14:1-14; Lk 23:8-12 d. His son was Herod Agrippa II, who tried the apostle Paul - Ac 25:13-26:32 [Thus it was Herod Agrippa I who harassed the church in Jerusalem at this time. How God and the church responded to his harassment is instructive, so let's begin with how...] I. HEROD KILLS JAMES A. JAMES, BROTHER OF JOHN... 1. Son of Zebedee, one of Jesus' first disciples - Mk 1:19-20 2. Together with John his brother were called "Sons of Thunder" - Mk 3:17 3. Part of the inner circle of Jesus' closest disciples - cf. Mk 5:37; 9:2; 13:3; 14:33 B. THE FIRST APOSTLE TO DIE... 1. Not counting Judas Iscariot, who died before the church began 2. Jesus foretold James would suffer (the cup and baptism of suffering) - Mk 10:35-40 3. And so Herod killed James with the sword (i.e., beheaded him) - Ac 12:2 4. Note: James the apostle was not replaced after his death, nor is there any indication in the Scriptures that other apostles were replaced when they died (excluding Judas Iscariot) [Herod's harassment against the church by killing James pleased the unbelieving Jews (Ac 12:3). The most liked by the Jews of any of the Herods (cf. Josephus), to further incur their favor...] II. HEROD IMPRISONS PETER A. IMPRISONED BY A KING... 1. Herod arrested Peter during the Days of Unleavened Bread, his trial delayed - Ac 12:3-4 2. Peter was therefore imprisoned, guarded by four squads of soldiers - Ac 12:4 B. RELEASED BY AN ANGEL... 1. In the meantime, the church responded with constant (fervent) prayer - Ac 12:5 2. Peter was bound by chains between two soldiers, with guards before the door - Ac 12:6 3. An angel appeared, freed Peter, and led him out of the prison - Ac 12:7-10 4. Peter realized it was real, not a vision, that the Lord delivered him - Ac 12:11 5. He goes to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, where many were praying - Ac 12:12 6. His arrival led to denial, then astonishment, but Peter explained it all - Ac 12:13-17 7. He gave instructions to inform James (the Lord's brother) and then left - Ac 12:17 [For some reason, the Lord saw fit to allow James to die while Peter lived. Peter would later die for Christ as well (as would most of the apostles). As for Herod, God was not done with him yet...] III. HEROD STRUCK BY AN ANGEL A. EXALTED BY MAN... 1. Angered by Peter's escape, Herod executes the guards - Ac 12:18-19 2. Leaving Judea, Herod goes to Caesarea (seat of the Roman government) - Ac 12:19 3. The people of Tyre and Sidon appeal to him via their friend Blastus, his aide - Ac 12:20 4. Giving an oration, the people praise Herod as having the voice of a god - Ac 12:21-22 B. HUMBLED BY GOD... 1. Failing to give glory to God, Herod is immediately struck by an angel - Ac 12:23 2. Luke (a physician) tells us he was eaten by worms and died - Ac 12:23 3. Josephus says that a severe pain arose in his belly and became so violent that he was carried into his palace where he died five days later 4. Dr. A. Rendle Short, who was professor of surgery at Bristol University and wrote a book entitled The Bible and Modern Medicine, stated that a great many people in Asia 'harbor intestinal worms', which can form a tight ball and cause 'acute intestinal obstruction'. This may have been the cause of Herod's death. - Stott, J. R. W. (1994). The message of Acts: The Spirit, the church & the world. The Bible Speaks Today. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. CONCLUSION 1. With the death of Herod and the end of his harassment against the church... a. "...the word of God grew and multiplied" - Ac 12:24 b. Paul and Silas would later be able to complete their ministry and return to Antioch with John Mark - Ac 12:25 2. From this account of "Herod's Harassment Of The Church" we learn... a. How the church is to react against persecution: pray! - e.g., Ac 12:5,12; cf. Ac 4:23-31 b. How God is able to humble governmental authorities who resist Him - cf. Rev 17:14 Whether it be through Divine intervention or Divine providence, Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords is in ultimate control (cf. Ro 13:1-4). As His disciples we must trust Him, even if in His wisdom it means that some might be martyrs while others go free...
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012
by Eric Lyons, M.Min. ... Sticky Business
http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2250
Sticky Business
by | Eric Lyons, M.Min. |
Advances in the science of biomimetics increasingly are reported in major scientific journals around the world. Scientists have attempted to mimic various designs or processes in the biological world for centuries, and 21st-century scientists show no signs of slowing down. In fact, it appears that now, more than ever, scientists are looking to nature for inspirations for their inventions. In June 2007, the journal New Scientist announced a new self-healing glue inspired by human bones (see Butt, 2007). In July 2007, MIT’s Technology Review reported the flight of a robotic fly at Harvard University, and how the government hopes eventually to use such “flies” in surveillance missions (see Ross, 2007; cf. Lyons, 2007). Nature, an international, weekly science journal, recently highlighted another impressive, life-inspired product—a biomimetic adhesive called “geckel,” that can adhere to both dry and wet surfaces (Haeshin, et al., 2007, 448[7151]:338-341).
The term “geckel” is derived from the names of the two creatures that inspired the new versatile adhesive: geckos and mussels. (Gecko + mussel = geckel.) Scientists closely examined the gecko’s “foot pads composed of specialized keratinous foot-hairs,” which “allow the gecko to cling onto vertical and even inverted surfaces” (Haeshin, et al., p. 338). By developing “nanotubes” that mimic “the bundles of fibers that make up the hairs on gecko feet” (Bullis, 2007), scientists have produced small tape samples that can be reused dozens of time. One obstacle to “gecko tape,” however, is water. Re-usable tape that mimics “gecko adhesion is greatly diminished upon full immersion” (Haeshin, et al., p. 338). Thus, scientists turned to the mussel.
Mussels have the ability to adhere to wet or fully immersed surfaces. Northwestern University biomedical-engineering professor Phillip Messersmith observed: “Mussels can stick to anything.... They adhere to a piece of wood, which is organic. They also adhere to the skin of whales” (as quoted in Patel-Predd, 2007). Their astounding stick-to-itiveness comes from a secretion of “specialized adhesive proteins” (Haeshin, et al., p. 338). After years of study, scientists have been able to manufacture a polymer that imitates the adhesive proteins of mussels.
Now, by combining what they have learned from gecko and mussel adhesion, researchers have developed a new adhesive, complete with nanotubes and a sticky protein polymer. Geckel is sticky, reusable, and can attach both to dry and wet surfaces. Scientists foresee it being used in many things, including medical tape and electronic equipment.
Sadly, many of the same scientists who spent thousands of hours studying the marvelous qualities of geckos and mussels believe these animals just evolved over millions of years. They believe that a big bang, plus spontaneous generation, plus time, plus chance equals awe-inspiring animals that hold the key to the invention of many impressive products. Researchers are designing new products based on living creatures that supposedly were not designed. Does this make any sense? None at all. The fact is, design demands a designer. Geckos and mussels, which scientists still cannot fully imitate, were designed by an intelligent Being—“The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 40:28, ASV). “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all...living things both small and great” (Psalm 104:24-25).
REFERENCES
Butt, Kyle (2007), “Nature Sticks to Design,” Apologetics Press, [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/3413.
Haeshin, Lee, Bruce Lee, and Phillip Messersmith (2007), “A Reversible Wet/Dry Adhesive Inspired by Mussels and Geckos,” Nature, 448[7151]:338-341, July 19.
Lyons, Eric (2007), “Who Makes the World’s Best Fliers?,” Apologetics Press, [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/3436.
Patel-Predd, Prachi (2007), “Nanoglue Sticks Underwater,” Technology Review, July 18, [On-line], URL: http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/19061/.
Ross, Rachel (2007), “Robotic Insect Takes Off for the First Time,” Technology Review, July 19, [On-line], URL: http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19068/.
From Jim McGuiggan... "YOU COMIN'?"
"YOU COMIN'?"
Jesus
is to blame. The Christ of the cross is to blame. If it weren't for him
I might be able to find some peace but he and his cross disturb me and
won't let me be content with what I see when I look within and around
me. If your loved one is quadriplegic you know that in many ways he or
she isn't physically able to help you care for them and in some sense
you adjust to the situation—you expect nothing and in that respect
you aren't disappointed. If you truly believe there's nothing better to
be hoped for in this world I suppose you might rage in your
hopelessness or eat, drink (or starve) and die tomorrow; but if hope
were dead would there not be some kind of resignation, a reluctant,
numbed acceptance of things as they are? Maybe, but would that not be
better than vainly hoping? Is that not what the old Greek story means to
say in the story of Pandora's "box"—when she opened the forbidden box
everything in it escaped except...hope. And it became the source of
torment to all because they could never be content with things as they
are.
In an early essay Bertrand Russell said that because we know the truth of human existence—that it's a pointless accident—we must face it and build a future on "unyielding despair." Well,
it's into this world, with all its pain, loss, disappointment,
loneliness, cruelty, entrenched evils and invincible selfishness that
Jesus came, making claims and promising much.
In
the first century he offended the Romans and their view of power and
empire. He offended the Greeks and their view of God and wisdom. He
offended the Jews and their view of God's faithfulness and their place
in his purposes. And he continues to scandalize us all to this day.
Don't you know I'm talking about the real Christ and not the one we hear about in so much preaching. Or the real one we don't hear
about in so much preaching. The one who's hidden under ceaseless
explanations of what this or that verse means, who's hidden behind the
patter of the wise who handle all the "difficult questions" people ask,
the one who's buried under the same unending calls for us all to be
morally better—as if we hadn't heard this call ten-thousand times. Christless moralizing with
the usual Bible verses thrown in to prove we're different from the
secularists who preach the same Christless moralizing—and who now and
then use Bible verses.
There
are people who care nothing for him—and never did—they're not affected
by him. The crass hedonists who think life's a one way ticket so, to the
degree that they can manage it, they party the nights away. Maybe
towards the end they think of "fire insurance" (though even that's not
of great concern now). The world can't be made better—certainly not in
their lifetimes—so why worry about it? Get what you can as quick as you
can, throw a handful of coins in the direction of the world's needy
during a big public musical concert and get back to the usual partying.
They
ignore the churches with their inner squabbles. [That might be a smart
thing!] Or, they listen for a while to their squabbles and discover how
pathetic they are in the face of the world's great needs and
wrongs—before they go back to the partying. Not a bad philosophy that; a
happy life and an endless sleep at the end.
The Jesus of the cross disturbs those who hear him. Here are three general areas. There's the state of the world and the church and our own personal situations.
If you hear
him, Jesus is too stubbornly real and we can't get away from him. Not
that we're trying to, you understand. We neither try to nor want to get
away from him but being in his presence and listening to his kingly
promises that are written in blood can make us impatient with the
chaotic, oppressive, confused, rebellious and cruel world. Why hasn't
his sovereignty transformed the world already? As sad-spoken Matthew
Arnold said, in the beginning, the tide of faith was fully in and
covered the earth like a garment. But now, he said,—it would appear—all
we hear is the faint sound of its "melancholy long withdrawing roar" as
it retreats and leaves bare the naked shingled shores of the world.
Sometimes we sorely want the present King of Kings to show himself more
powerfully—more powerfully, that is, in the more common understanding of
power. We'd like him to obliterate all the oppressive structures of the
world—structures that we have neither the desire to destroy nor the
strength to do it, supposing we had the desire. And why would we desire
it, aren't we the ones that build them? The state of the world seems to "prove" that the Christian's claim that Jesus is Lord of Lords is sheer nonsense.
And
when we look at the church as a whole and consider how pathetic and
weak it is, how self-serving, as it fine-tunes its theology and gorges
on rich truth and wants more to gorge on while a world of
Lazaruses starves. Not content to draw lines of fellowship in places
where the heart of the gospel is attacked, many church leaders insist on
keeping us all in separate pens based on the flimsiest differences and
they call it "defending the faith." We pay our ministers to "stand for
the truth" if they're willing to stand for the truth that we pay them to
stand for. In a world of tortured and tormented, sick and oppressed,
humiliated, blind and despairing fellow-humans in their thousands of
millions and our latest inner-church crusade is what? IS WHAT?
It's
much easier to believe the too-rich-to-be-fully-grasped doctrines of
the person and work of Jesus Christ in and as whom God revealed himself
than it is to believe in the church as it church-shops its way from one
assembly to another. And as we shop our first question is not, "What is
your gospel here?" it's, "What programs do you have to suit me here?"
"What are my rights here?" "Does this church know we're living in
the 21st century?" At one end of the spectrum we have these primetime
hucksters that ceaselessly beg for money to fund their programs (or
other hidden things) and on the other there are churches that are
offended if there's talk about sharing our wealth. Time and money is
spent on leadership agendas that usually have to do with "making our
church grow." Then there's the "preaching" [?].
And then there's the personal, bitter disappointment with oneself. There are times when you think you see real progress
and then like a bolt of lightning and a thunderclap events expose your
heart—it's seems as shrivelled as ever it was even after years of
longing for better. Just when you think you've experienced significant
growth you're brought face to face with outrageous meanness or
corruption or bitterness that pours out of you. Those who know nothing
of such experiences often find themselves with a smug smile of
self-congratulation at their moral maturity and consistency. When our
eyes focus on all this and more Jesus seems more and more distant and
beyond us. And in our worst moments, Pack it in—walk away, comes to mind. Then you understand what Dorothy Sayers was getting at when she wrote:
I am battered and broken and weary and out of heart,
I will not listen to talk of heroic things,
But be content to play some simple part,
Freed from preposterous, wild imaginings...
Men were not made to walk as priests and kings.
I will not listen to talk of heroic things,
But be content to play some simple part,
Freed from preposterous, wild imaginings...
Men were not made to walk as priests and kings.
Thou liest, Christ, Thou liest; take it hence,
That mirror of strange glories; I am I;
What wouldst Thou make of me? O cruel pretense,
Drive me not mad so with the mockery
Of that most lovely, unattainable lie!
That mirror of strange glories; I am I;
What wouldst Thou make of me? O cruel pretense,
Drive me not mad so with the mockery
Of that most lovely, unattainable lie!
And
for a while—a day, a week, a month, a year—you sulk and snarl and
prowl. Then you see him! He's always been there; you just didn't notice
during that wretched period. You see him looking at you with those big
eyes of his, calm and compelling, and as he moves away he looks back and
motions with his head, "You comin'?" and…
Why can't he leave us alone? Why can't we who have met him leave him alone?
©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.
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