ARE THESE A FAVORED PEOPLE?

Newsletter 145 June 21, 2009

================================================================================ Having the Lord lead us to South Africa in 1953, we lived for many years under their apartheid laws. The dictionary meaning of this Afrikaans word is “separate development.“ Under the circumstances, that root idea made sense. There were eleven different languages, with different cultures, educational levels, traditions, and some of them were traditional enemies. At times it seemed that it was only in the church that there was a genuine movement toward cooperation among them; even there one had to tread warily lest he become branded as favoring certain peoples. Generally speaking the minister of a congregation, worked best if he was ministering to a people of his own background.

That divided nation tried setting up traditional homelands as self governing states within the umbrella of South Africa. This was already a fact to some degree, for example the Zulu nation already had their own king, which they still do today. Lesotho was, and still is, an independent country, of the British Commonwealth, whose citizens are to be found everywhere outside Lesotho, their traditional home. The adjoining nations of Botswana and Swaziland are likewise very tribal in nature. For numerous reasons this plan, was rejected and failed.

Today’s scripture indicates that the same problems have existed for thousands of years. Elsewhere. The Jews looked down on the Samaritans, and divided the entire known world into only two groups; Jews or Gentiles. In South Africa, the dividing factor was the general appearance and complexion, of each person. Sadly sometimes even immediate families were shattered if one child was of a darker complexion or if one was light and could easily “pass as European.”

God sent Peter to teach Cornelius, a Gentile Roman , but it took a vision for him to be willing to go. He discovered that God loves all people.

Acts 10:34-48 (King James Version)

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (Matthew 5:2, 2 Corinthians 19:7, Romans 2:11, Galatians 2:6, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25, 1 Peter 1:17)
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:28, Acts 10:2)
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Acts 13:22, Luke 1:79, Luke 2:14, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:17, Matthew 28:18, Acts 2:36, Romans 10:12)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38. How God appointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power
; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 2:22, Acts 4:26, Matthew 4:23, John 3:2)
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: (Luke 24:48, Acts 10:41, Acts 5:30)
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; (Acts 24)
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. (John 14:19, John 14:22, John 15:27, Luke 24:48, Acts 10:39, Luke 24:43, Acts 1:4)
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Acts 1:2, Luke 16:28, Luke 22:22, John 5:22, Acts 17:31, 2 Timothy 4:1, 1 Peter 4:5)
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 3:18, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12)
44 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (Acts 11:15, Acts 15:8)
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (Matthew 16:17, Acts 2:4, Acts 19:6)
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 8:36, Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44, Acts 11:17, Acts 15:6)
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (1 Corinthians 1:14-17, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5)

In Jesus, and in those who are his, we see that the love of God is for the whole of the world, not just a small portion of the “elect.” (John 3:16)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009

JUNE

21st. Sunday – 1 Kings 9, 10, Acts 15:1-22, Proverbs 15:8-16
22nd. Monday – 1 Kings 11, Acts 15:23-41, Psalm 77:1-9
23rd. Tuesday – 1 Kings 12, Acts 16:1-18, Psalm 77:10-20
24th. Wednesday – 1 Kings 13, Acts 16:19-40, Psalm 78:1-8
25th. Thursday – 1 Kings 14, 15, Acts 17, Proverbs 15:17-26
26th. Friday – 1 Kings 16, 17, Acts 18, Psalm 78:9-20
27th. Saturday – 1 Kings 18, Acts 19:1-20, Psalm 78:21-30

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

"… they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."

Acts 8:38-39
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JUST A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE MILLS HOUSEHOLD

Prayer requests this week are still for Phyllis. She had another fall last Sunday morning, and is still in much pain. We made an appointment with our own doctor, but she only prescribed more pain killers and an appointment with a therapist once we get settled again.
The house has still not sold.
But, we are still scheduled to move on July 2nd. The packing up is progressing well.
However, we MAY not have web connections to send next week’s reading guide and message on time.

Bob and Phyllis