Change can be a good thing....

Well, we all know what diapers contain; as for politicians, who can argue with a public sign?  I don't know about you, but I wish it was November 2nd, not June 2nd!!!  This year several billion dollars will be spent on political television ads and frankly that is out of control.  It is obvious to me that those in political office are interested solely in their own interests and not mine.  In fact, it seems that they are trying to destroy our way of life.  So, this year, I am sick to death of politics as usual.  However, this passage from the book of Romans comes back to goad me into correct thinking...

Romans, Chapter 13

  1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.  3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, 4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. 5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.  6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing.  7 Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

There you have it; submission to authority.  Frankly, as a United States citizen, it is hard for me to swallow this, but I must.  It just seems like our government is becoming anti-Christian and who likes persecution?  How long can I tolerate this trend?  I wish I knew.  Perhaps it is me who has a bad attitude; or to put it another way.... I am full of it.  No, wait, that can't be true... because I am not a politician.

June 2 Ruth 1, 2

June 2

Ruth 1, 2

Rth 1:1 It happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Rth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Rth 1:3 Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Rth 1:4 They took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they lived there about ten years.

Rth 1:5 Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.

Rth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that Yahweh had visited his people in giving them bread.

Rth 1:7 She went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Rth 1:8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to her mother's house: Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Rth 1:9 Yahweh grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

Rth 1:10 They said to her, No, but we will return with you to your people.

Rth 1:11 Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

Rth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons;

Rth 1:13 would you therefore wait until they were grown? would you therefore stay from having husbands? nay, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of Yahweh is gone forth against me.

Rth 1:14 They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her.

Rth 1:15 She said, Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god: return after your sister-in-law.

Rth 1:16 Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God;

Rth 1:17 where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me."

Rth 1:18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

Rth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. It happened, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and the women said, Is this Naomi?

Rth 1:20 She said to them, "Don't call me Naomi, call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Rth 1:21 I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty; why do you call me Naomi, seeing Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"

Rth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Rth 2:1 Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

Rth 2:2 Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor. She said to her, Go, my daughter.

Rth 2:3 She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Rth 2:4 Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, Yahweh be with you. They answered him, Yahweh bless you.

Rth 2:5 Then said Boaz to his servant who was set over the reapers, Whose young lady is this?

Rth 2:6 The servant who was set over the reapers answered, It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Rth 2:7 She said, Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she stayed a little in the house.

Rth 2:8 Then said Boaz to Ruth, Don't you hear, my daughter? Don't go to glean in another field, neither pass from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.

Rth 2:9 Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them: haven't I commanded the young men not to touch you? and when you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

Rth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner?

Rth 2:11 Boaz answered her, It has fully been shown me, all that you have done to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband; and how you have left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn't know before.

Rth 2:12 May Yahweh repay your work, and a full reward be given you from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Rth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of your handmaidens.

Rth 2:14 At meal time Boaz said to her, Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar. She sat beside the reapers, and they reached her parched grain, and she ate, and was sufficed, and left of it.

Rth 2:15 When she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don't reproach her.

Rth 2:16 Also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and don't rebuke her.

Rth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Rth 2:18 She took it up, and went into the city; and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth and gave to her that which she had left after she was sufficed.

Rth 2:19 Her mother-in-law said to her, Where have you gleaned today? and where have you worked? blessed be he who did take knowledge of you. She showed her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.

Rth 2:20 Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of Yahweh, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. Naomi said to her, The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.

Rth 2:21 Ruth the Moabitess said, Yes, he said to me, You shall stay close to my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

Rth 2:22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not meet you in any other field.

Rth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Sixteen by Mark Copeland

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                            Chapter Sixteen

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To trace the route of Paul and Silas on their missionary journey

2) To consider whether the Spirit led Paul through impressions or some
   other less subjective way

3) To study carefully the conversions of Lydia and the Philippian jailer

SUMMARY

With this chapter we find Paul on his second missionary journey that
began in Ac 15:40 with Paul and Silas passing through Syria and Cilicia,
strengthening churches along the way.  In Derbe and Lystra, Paul
enlisted a young disciple named Timothy who would become a life-long
fellow-worker in the kingdom.  His mother was a believing Jew (cf. 2 Ti
1:5) but his father was Greek, so with many Jews in the region Paul had
Timothy circumcised.  As Paul's company traveled through Phrygia and
Galatia, they delivered the decrees from the apostles and elders in
Jerusalem and strengthened the churches (1-5).

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit they found themselves in Troas,
where Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help.
Concluding that the Lord was calling them to preach the gospel there,
Paul's company left Troas accompanied by the author of Acts himself, as
indicated by the first person pronoun plural "we" (6-10).

From Troas to Samothrace and then Neapolis, the company finally arrived
in Philippi.  A major city of Macedonia and Roman colony, it marked
Paul's first ministry on the European continent.  On the Sabbath Paul
and his companions went down to the river where women were praying.  As
Paul spoke, a religious business woman of Thyatira named Lydia listened.
The Lord opened her heart to heed Paul, which resulted in her and her
household being baptized.  She then persuaded Paul and his companions to
stay at her house (11-15).

Paul and his company were soon followed by a slave girl possessed by a
spirit of divination that made money for her owners through fortune
telling.  For days she cried out, "These men are the servants of the
Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation."  While true, it
annoyed Paul (probably because it was not of her own free will) and he
cast the spirit out in the name of Jesus.  This greatly angered the
girl's masters, who had Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned.  At
midnight while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns, a great
earthquake shook the prison and broke free their chains.  Assuming all
had fled, the jailer was about to kill himself when Paul stopped him.
When the jailor asked what he must do to be saved, Paul and Silas told
him to believe on the Lord Jesus, and then proceeded to teach him and
his family the word of the Lord.  That same night, the entire family was
baptized.  In the morning, the magistrates sent word to release Paul and
Silas, but Paul demanded a personal release as they were Roman citizens
who were beaten and imprisoned without trial.  Scared, the magistrates
came and pleaded with Paul and Silas to leave the city, which they did
after a short visit to Lydia's house to encourage the brethren.  Note
that the author's return to the use of "they" indicates that Luke stayed
behind in Philippi (16-40).

OUTLINE

I. TIMOTHY JOINS PAUL AND SILAS (1-5)

   A. TIMOTHY'S BACKGROUND (1-3)
      1. Paul and Silas travel to Derbe and Lystra, where they meet
         Timothy
      2. A disciple, whose mother was a Jewish Christian and father was
         Greek
      3. Well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium

   B. TIMOTHY'S CIRCUMCISION (3)
      1. Paul wants Timothy to join him
      2. Paul has Timothy circumcised, on account of the Jews in the
         region

   C. TIMOTHY'S FIRST MISSION (4-5)
      1. Traveling with Paul and Silas, they deliver the decrees from
         Jerusalem
      2. The churches are strengthened, increasing in number daily

II. THE MACEDONIA CALL (6-10)

   A. DIRECTED BY THE SPIRIT (6-8)
      1. Passing through Phrygia and Galatia, the Spirit forbids them
         from preaching in Asia
      2. Nearing Mysia, they try to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit does
         not permit them
      3. Bypassing Mysia, they arrive in Troas

   B. CALLED BY A VISION (9-10)
      1. Paul has a vision of a Macedonian man asking for help
      2. Paul and his companions conclude God wants them to go to
         Macedonia
      3. The use of "we" indicates Luke, the author, has now joined them

III. CONVERSIONS AT PHILIPPI (11-40)

   A. THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA (11-15)
      1. From Troas, by way of Samothrace and Neapolis, Paul's company
         arrive at Philippi of Macedonia, a Roman colony
      2. On the Sabbath, they meet with women gathered by the river to
         pray and Paul speaks
      3. Lydia, who worshiped God, listens and the Lord opens her heart
         to heed Paul
      4. She and her household are baptized, and persuades Paul's
         company to stay at her house

   B. THE CONVERSION OF THE JAILER (16-40)
      1. On the way to prayer, Paul's and his companions are followed by
         a slave girl
         a. Who was possessed with a spirit of divination
         b. Who had brought her masters much profit through fortune
            telling
      2. She proclaims Paul's company to be servants of God, proclaiming
         the way of salvation
         a. This she does for many days, which annoys Paul
         b. Paul therefore casts out the spirit in the name of Jesus
      3. Her masters seize Paul and Silas, and drag them before the
         magistrates
         a. Where they are accused as troublemakers, teaching unlawful
            customs
         b. Where they are beaten with rods, then imprisoned with feet
            in stocks
      4. At midnight, Paul and Silas are praying and singing hymns, the
         prisoners listening
      5. There is a great earthquake, opening the doors and loosening
         the prisoners' chains
      6. The jailer comes in, assumes all have escaped, prepares to kill
         himself
      7. Paul cries out with a loud voice to stop him, assuring him that
         all were still there
      8. The jailer asks for a light, falls before Paul and Silas, and
         asks what he must do to be saved
         a. They first tell him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
         b. They then speak the word of the Lord to him and his
            household
         c. That same hour he washes their stripes, then he and his
            household are baptized
         d. He then takes Paul and Silas to his house, feeds them, and
            rejoices that he and his household has believed in God
      9. The next day the magistrates send officers to release Paul and
         Silas
         a. When the jailer tells Paul he is free to go, Paul demands
            that the magistrates come personally, as they have beaten
            Roman citizens without a trial
         b. So the magistrates come, release Paul and Silas, and plead
            for them to leave the city
     10. Returning to Lydia's house, Paul and Silas encourage the
         brethren, then leave Philippi

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Timothy joins Paul and Silas (1-5)
   - The Macedonian call (6-10)
   - Conversions at Philippi (11-40)

2) Where did Paul go after passing through Syria and Cilicia (1; cf.
   15:41)
   - Lystra and Derbe

3) Who did Paul want to travel with him?  What is said about him? (1-2)
   - A disciple named Timothy
   - Son of a Jewish woman who believed, and whose father was Greek
   - Well spoken of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium

4) Why did Paul have him circumcised? (3)
   - Because of the Jews in that region that knew his father was Greek
   - I.e., not to be saved, but to conciliate his relationship with
     other Jews (cf. w/Titus, Ga 2:3-5)

5) What did Paul's company deliver as they traveled?  What was the
   reaction? (4-5)
   - The decrees to keep as determined by the apostles and elders at
     Jerusalem
   - The churches were strengthened in number and grew daily

6) How did the Spirit guide Paul's company in their travels? Where did
   they wind up? (6-8)
   - By forbidding them to preach in Asia; not permitting them to go
     into Bithynia
   - In Troas

7) What vision did Paul have?  What did he and his companions conclude?
   (9-10)
   - A man in Macedonian apparel pleading with him, "Come over to
     Macedonia and help us"
   - The Lord had called them to preach the gospel to those in Macedonia

8) From Troas, where did they go?  Who evidently joined them at Troas?
   (11-12)
   - Samothrace, Neapolis, and then to Philippi, a major city of
     Macedonia and Roman colony
   - Luke, the author of Acts, as indicated by the pronoun "we"

10) Where did Paul's company go on the Sabbath?  What did they do? (13)
   - The riverside where prayer was customarily made; they spoke to the
     women gathered there

11) Who heard them?  What kind of woman was she?  What happened as she
    listened? (14)
   - Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira
   - A worshiper of God
   - The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul

12) What happened next?  Afterwards, what did she do? (15)
   - She and her household were baptized
   - She persuaded Paul and his company to stay at her house

13) Who began to follow Paul and his company?  What did she do? (16-17)
   - A slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination, who earned
     money by fortune telling
   - Followed them for many days, saying "These men are the servants of
     the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation"

14) Why do you think Paul was greatly annoyed? What did he then do? (18)
   - Her proclamation was not freely given, by compelled by the spirit
     that possessed her
   - He cast out the spirit in the name of Jesus Christ

15) What sequence of events followed this miracle? (19-24)
   - Her masters dragged Paul and Silas to the marketplace and before
     the authorities
   - They roused the multitude against Paul and Silas, the magistrates
     had them beaten with rods
   - Paul and Silas were then secured in the inner prison with their
     feet in stocks

16) What did Paul and Silas do while imprisoned? (25)
   - Prayed and sang hymns while other prisoners listened

17) What led to the jailer asking what he must do to be saved? (26-30)
   - There was a great earthquake, all the doors were opened and chains
     loosened
   - The jailer assumes all escaped and was about to kill himself
   - Paul stops him, telling him that all the prisoners were present

18) What does Paul say and do in answer to the jailor's question?
    (31-32)
   - Tells him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved
   - Speaks the word of the Lord to him and his household

19) What happened that same hour of the night? (33)
   - The jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their stripes
   - The jailer and all his family were baptized immediately

20) What else did the jailer do for Paul and Silas?  How would you
    describe his attitude? (34)
   - Brought them into his home and fed them
   - Happy that he and his household believed in God

21) When word was sent for Paul and Silas to be released, how did Paul
    respond? (35-37)
   - He demanded the magistrates appear in person, because they had
     beaten Romans without being properly condemned

22) How did the magistrates respond? (38-39)
   - With fear, then personally pleading with Paul and Silas to leave
     the city

23) Leaving the prison, what did Paul and Silas do before departing
    the city? (40)
   - Encouraged the brethren at the house of Lydia

24) Who evidently stayed behind at Philippi? (40)
   - Luke, the author of Acts, as indicated by the pronoun "they"

Where is Pablo Picasso when you really need him???

Its late and for some reason I can't sleep and so what better time to do a blog post.  As I looked through my collection of pictures, I kept staring at this one and oddly enough for the longest time I just could not tell what it was.  My first thought was that it was a painting of Pablo Picasso, but, no. Then I realized it was a reflection of a multi-colored hillside on a river nearby.  Regardless, it was one thing representing another and so vivid an image came to my mind that it made me remember this passage from the book of Ezekiel...

Ezekiel, Chapter 1

 2 In the fifth of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 the word of Yahweh came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Yahweh was there on him.  4 I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.  5 Out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.  6 Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings.  7 Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.  8 They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the four of them had their faces and their wings thus:  9 their wings were joined one to another; they didn’t turn when they went; each one went straight forward.  10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side; and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side; the four of them also had the face of an eagle.  11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies.  12 Each one went straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; they didn’t turn when they went.  13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.  14 The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.  15 Now as I saw the living creatures, behold, one wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it.  16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl: and the four of them had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.  17 When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn’t turn when they went.  18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full of eyes all around.  19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.  20 Wherever the spirit was to go, they went; there was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.  21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.  22 Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched forth over their heads above.  23 Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army: when they stood, they let down their wings. 25 There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings. 26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. 27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.  28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.

How do you explain what God is really like?  This passage attempts to do so in a rather odd collection of symbols.  Many have tried to fully explain it; I will not try.  But, the sense I get from it is that God is powerful and has attributes that mere human symbols can not fully convey.  However, from the complexity of them it is apparent that God is vastly more superior than HIS human creations.  We can look at pictures as symbols (enter Pablo Picasso) or the world around us as a reflection of the the nature and character of God, but in the end we are left with wonder, amazement and the feeling that we still have an awful lot to learn in this world.  No matter how old I eventually become, I hope I never lose it, because it is the beginning of humility and then and only then will I ever come close to even beginning to understand even a little about God Almighty!!!

June 1 Judges 21

June 1

Judges 21

Jdg 21:1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter to Benjamin as wife.

Jdg 21:2 The people came to Bethel, and sat there until evening before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore.

Jdg 21:3 They said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel, that there should be today one tribe lacking in Israel?

Jdg 21:4 It happened on the next day that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

Jdg 21:5 The children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel who didn't come up in the assembly to Yahweh? For they had made a great oath concerning him who didn't come up to Yahweh to Mizpah, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

Jdg 21:6 The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

Jdg 21:7 How shall we do for wives for those who remain, seeing we have sworn by Yahweh that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

Jdg 21:8 They said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel who didn't come up to Yahweh to Mizpah? Behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh Gilead to the assembly.

Jdg 21:9 For when the people were numbered, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead there.

Jdg 21:10 The congregation sent there twelve thousand men of the most valiant, and commanded them, saying, Go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones.

Jdg 21:11 This is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman who has lain by man.

Jdg 21:12 They found among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead four hundred young virgins, who had not known man by lying with him; and they brought them to the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

Jdg 21:13 The whole congregation sent and spoke to the children of Benjamin who were in the rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace to them.

Jdg 21:14 Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead: and yet so they weren't enough for them.

Jdg 21:15 The people grieved for Benjamin, because that Yahweh had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

Jdg 21:16 Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for those who remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?

Jdg 21:17 They said, There must be an inheritance for those who are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe not be blotted out from Israel.

Jdg 21:18 However we may not give them wives of our daughters, for the children of Israel had sworn, saying, Cursed be he who gives a wife to Benjamin.

Jdg 21:19 They said, Behold, there is a feast of Yahweh from year to year in Shiloh, which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.

Jdg 21:20 They commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,

Jdg 21:21 and see, and behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards, and each man catch his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

Jdg 21:22 It shall be, when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, that we will say to them, Grant them graciously to us, because we didn't take for each man his wife in battle, neither did you give them to them, else you would now be guilty.

Jun. 1, 2 John 9

Jun. 1, 2

John 9

Joh 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

Joh 9:2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Joh 9:3 Jesus answered, "Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.

Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.

Joh 9:5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Joh 9:6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man's eyes with the mud,

Joh 9:7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means "Sent"). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.

Joh 9:8 The neighbors therefore, and those who saw that he was blind before, said, "Isn't this he who sat and begged?"

Joh 9:9 Others were saying, "It is he." Still others were saying, "He looks like him." He said, "I am he."

Joh 9:10 They therefore were asking him, "How were your eyes opened?"

Joh 9:11 He answered, "A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.' So I went away and washed, and I received sight."

Joh 9:12 Then they asked him, "Where is he?" He said, "I don't know."

Joh 9:13 They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees.

Joh 9:14 It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.

Joh 9:15 Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, "He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see."

Joh 9:16 Some therefore of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he doesn't keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was division among them.

Joh 9:17 Therefore they asked the blind man again, "What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

Joh 9:18 The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight,

Joh 9:19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"

Joh 9:20 His parents answered them, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Joh 9:21 but how he now sees, we don't know; or who opened his eyes, we don't know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself."

Joh 9:22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

Joh 9:23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age. Ask him."

Joh 9:24 So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner."

Joh 9:25 He therefore answered, "I don't know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see."

Joh 9:26 They said to him again, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

Joh 9:27 He answered them, "I told you already, and you didn't listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don't also want to become his disciples, do you?"

Joh 9:28 They insulted him and said, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.

Joh 9:29 We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don't know where he comes from."

Joh 9:30 The man answered them, "How amazing! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.

Joh 9:31 We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.

Joh 9:32 Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind.

Joh 9:33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

Joh 9:34 They answered him, "You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?" They threw him out.

Joh 9:35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of God?"

Joh 9:36 He answered, "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?"

Joh 9:37 Jesus said to him, "You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you."

Joh 9:38 He said, "Lord, I believe!" and he worshiped him.

Joh 9:39 Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, that those who don't see may see; and that those who see may become blind."

Joh 9:40 Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, "Are we also blind?"

Joh 9:41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Fifteen

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                            Chapter Fifteen

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see how the early church dealt with the issue of circumcision and
   the Law of Moses

2) To note that Paul, Peter, and James were in complete accord, and that
   Judaizing teachers acted without any apostolic authority

3) To notice the rift between Paul and Barnabas, how it did not keep
   them from serving the Lord

SUMMARY

This chapter records a pivotal event in the early church, confirming
that what Jesus accomplished on the cross was the creation of one new
body, in which both Jews and Gentiles were to have the same access to
God through faith in Jesus Christ and not the Law of Moses (cf. Ep
2:11-18).

Men from Judea came to Antioch teaching the necessity of circumcision
and keeping the Law.  Paul and Barnabas disputed this, and the decision
was made to send them to Jerusalem to talk with the apostles and elders.
Along the way, Paul and Barnabas described the conversion of the
Gentiles which caused great joy (1-3).

At Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas first reported to the whole church.  When
Pharisees who were believers said that circumcision and keeping the Law
of Moses were necessary, the apostles and elders met to discuss the
issue further.  After much dispute, Peter spoke of how God chose him to
be the first to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, how God acknowledged
them by giving them the Holy Spirit, and how God made no distinction,
purifying their hearts through faith.  Peter thus questioned why they
should put a yoke on the Gentiles that even they themselves were unable
to bear.  Rather, by the grace of the Lord both Jews and Gentiles could
be saved in the same manner.  Barnabas and Paul again reported the
miracles and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles
(4-12).

Finally James, the Lord's brother, offered Amos' prophecy in support of
what Peter said.  He then recommended they not trouble the Gentiles, but
that a letter be written asking them to abstain from things offered to
idols, blood, things strangled, and sexual immorality.  The apostles and
elders, with the whole church, agreed to send the letter, and to have
Judas and Silas accompany Paul and Barnabas to confirm its authenticity.
The letter, its counsel approved by the Holy Spirit, was delivered and
joyously received by the brethren in Antioch.  Judas and Silas offered
their exhortation and strengthened the brethren before Judas returned to
Jerusalem (13-34).

After some time teaching and preaching in Antioch, Paul wanted to visit
the brethren in the cities they had traveled to on his first missionary
journey.  Barnabas was willing, but determined to take John Mark.  Paul
insisted they should not take John because he left them on the first
trip.  Unable to reconcile, Barnabas took John and sailed to Cyprus,
while Paul took Silas, and with commendation from the brethren in
Antioch went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches
(35-41).

OUTLINE

I. CONFLICT OVER CIRCUMSION (1-3)

   A. TROUBLEMAKERS FROM JUDEA (1-2a)
      1. Individuals from Judea teach the brethren in Antioch they must
         be circumcised
      2. Paul and Barnabas dissent and dispute with them

   B. CONTINGENT SENT TO JERUSALEM (2b-3)
      1. Paul, Barnabas, and others sent to Jerusalem to meet with the
         apostles and elders
      2. On their way, they tell of the conversion of Gentiles, causing
         great joy

II. CONFERENCE AT JERUSALEM (4-29)

   A. THE MEETING WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH (4-5)
      1. Paul and Barnabas report what God had done with them
      2. Pharisees who believed demand circumcision and keeping the Law
         of Moses

   B. THE MEETING WITH THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS (6-21)
      1. After much dispute, Peter speaks
         a. He reminds them how God:
            1) Chose him to preach the gospel to Gentiles
            2) Acknowledged Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit
            3) Made no distinction between Jew and Gentile, purifying
               their hearts by faith
         b. He offers his conclusion:
            1) Why test God by demanding that Gentiles do what Jews
               could not?
            2) Through the grace of the Lord Jesus both will be saved in
               the same way
      2. Paul and Barnabas then speak
         a. The multitude remain silent and listen
         b. As they recount the many miracles and wonders God did among
            the Gentiles
      3. James then speaks
         a. Providing OT prophecy (cf. Am 9:11-12) to support what
            Peter had done
         b. Offering his judgment that Gentiles who turn to God not be
            troubled
         c. Suggesting that a letter be written
            1) Telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols,
               sexual immorality, what has been strangled, and blood
            2) Seeing that Moses has been read every Sabbath in the
               synagogues for generations

   C. THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER (22-29)
      1. The apostles and the elders, with the whole church, agree to
         send:
         a. Judas and Silas to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas
         b. A letter to Gentile Christians in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia
      2. The letter from the apostles and the elders states:
         a. That the troublemakers had not been sent by them
         b. That Barnabas and Paul are beloved
         c. That Judas and Silas will offer confirmation by word of
            mouth
         d. That they and the Holy Spirit place no greater burden on
            them than to abstain from:
            1) What has been sacrificed to idols
            2) Blood
            3) What has been strangled
            4) Sexual immorality
         e. The Gentile brethren will do well if they keep themselves
            from these things

III. CONSOLATION IN ANTIOCH (30-35)

   A. THE LETTER IS DELIVERED (30-31)
      1. Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch, the multitude gather
         together
      2. The letter is read, the people rejoice over its encouragement

   B. THE CHURCH IS STRENGTHENED (32-35)
      1. As prophets, Judas and Silas exhort and strengthen the brethren
         with many words
      2. After a while, Judas is sent back with greetings from the
         brethren to the apostles
      3. It seems good for Silas to remain in Antioch
      4. Paul and Barnabas remain also, teaching and preaching with many
         others

IV. CONTENTION BETWEEN PAUL AND BARNABAS (36-41)

   A. THE ARGUMENT (36-39a)
      1. After teaching and preaching in Antioch for some days, Paul
         wants to visit the brethren where they preached during the
         first missionary journey
      2. Barnabas is determined to take with them John Mark
      3. Paul is insistent that John should not go since he left them in
         Pamphylia
      4. The contention became so sharp they parted from one another

   B. THE RESULT (39b-41)
      1. Barnabas takes Mark and sails to Cyprus
      2. Paul chooses Silas, commended by the brethren to the grace of
         God, and passes through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the
         churches

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Conflict over circumcision (1-3)
   - Conference in Jerusalem (4-29)
   - Consolation in Antioch (30-35)
   - Contention between Paul and Barnabas (36-41)

2) What were some people from Jerusalem teaching the brethren in
   Antioch? (1)
   - That circumcision as proscribed by Moses was necessary to be saved

3) Who disagreed with them?  What actions were taken? (2)
   - Paul and Barnabas
   - To send Paul and Barnabas along with others to the apostles and
     elders in Jerusalem

4) On the way to Jerusalem, what did Paul and Barnabas do? (3)
   - Described the conversion of the Gentiles to the brethren in
     Phoenicia and Samaria

5) When they arrived at Jerusalem, with whom did they first meet? What
   did they tell them? (4)
   - The church, along with the apostles and elders
   - All the things that God had done with them

6) Who then stood up, and what did they say? (5)
   - Some of the Pharisees who believed in Jesus
   - That it was necessary for Gentiles to be circumcised and keep the
     Law of Moses

7) Who then came together to discuss the matter? (6)
   - The apostles and elders

8) Who spoke first?  What did he say? (7-11)
   - Peter
   - God chose him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles
   - God acknowledged the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit
   - God made no distinction, purifying their hearts by faith
   - Why test God by putting on Gentiles a yoke even Jews could not
     bear?
   - Through the grace of the Lord, Jews and Gentiles will be saved the
     same way

9) Who spoke second?  What did they say? (12)
   - Barnabas and Paul
   - God worked many miracles through them among the Gentiles

10) Who spoke last?  What did he say? (13-21)
   - James (the Lord's brother)
   - The prophet Amos agreed with what Peter said
   - They should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God
   - That a letter be written, asking them to abstain from polluted by
     idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and blood
   - Since for generations Moses had been read in many synagogues every
     Sabbath

11) What was the reaction to James' suggestions? (22-23)
   - It pleased the apostles and elders, along with the whole church
   - They determined to send Judas and Silas along with Paul and
     Barnabas, to Antioch
   - To write a letter to Gentile Christians in Antioch, Syria, and
     Cilicia

12) What are key points in that letter? (24-29)
   - Those who had troubled them regarding circumcision and the Law did
     so without any authority
   - The apostles and elders agreed to send Judas and Silas along with
     beloved Barnabas and Paul to confirm the report of what happened in
     Jerusalem
   - The Holy Spirit, along with the apostles and elders, saw fit to lay
     no burdens upon them, save to abstain from things sacrificed to
     idols, blood, things strangled, and sexual immorality

13) How did the brethren in Antioch react to the letter? (30-31)
   - They rejoiced over its encouragement

14) What did Judas and Silas do?  (32-34)
   - As prophets they exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many
     words
   - Judas was later sent back to Jerusalem with greetings to the
     apostles
   - Silas remained in Antioch

15) What did Paul and Barnabas do for a while in Antioch? (35)
   - Teach and preach the word of the Lord

16) After some time, what did Paul recommend to Barnabas? (36)
   - To go back and visit the brethren in the cities where they
     preached, to see how they were doing

17) What was Barnabas determined to do? (37)
   - Take John Mark with them

18) What did Paul insist?  Why? (38)
   - They should not take John Mark
   - He had left them in Pamphylia (cf. Ac 13:13) and not gone on with
     them

19) When the contention became strong between Barnabas and Paul, what
    did they do? (39-41)
   - Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus
   - Paul took Silas, commended by the brethren to the grace of God, and
     went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches