Newsletter 299 June 10, 2012
________________________________________________________________________
ACTS 6:1-8
In any gathering of people, there are certain to be differences of opinion. The larger the group, the more likely is this to e expected, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. The sincerity of the people, makes a great difference. If they are all of the faith, and that faith is in the divinity and authority of Christ and his recorded word, the Bible, then the solution can make the bond even greater. In the early years of my service for the Lord, when I was to listen and learn, but not to contribute, there arose a major problem in one of the African churches. It represented probably the largest circuit of believers in the country, and was composed people from two major ethnic backgrounds. The minister was a Coloured man, while the problem arose in the Xhosa side of his people. At the time the leader among the missionaries, was a man of considerable experience, but who led primarily by exerting his own strong leadership personality. During the discussion under consideration, the building was filled with Xhosas, whom came, every man among them, with his walking stick, called a “knobkerry.” I do not remember even one reference to the Bible in that hours long session. Needless to say, no solution was agreed upon, The Xhosa women called down evil spells upon us, and we eventually left the building under the threat of being stoned.
Be thankful for occasions dealt with in the Bible such as this one. God directs how to speak in His word.
1 And in those days, when the number of disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily administration.
There were two ethnic groups here. This was a large body of people. There could have been as many as twenty thousand men by this time. The Hellenistic Jews were primarily Jews from other parts of the Greek Empire. The others represented the Jews of a strict background, having grown up under the instruction of the temple authorities. Both parties were suspicious and looking for trouble. Have we ever heard of that before? Of course. Reasons may differ, but this is the way it was handled then.
The elders and leaders may well have been negligent of this particular matter. The problem existed, and it could have festered and gotten much worse.
(Acts 11:26, Acts 2:47, Acts 6:7, Acts 9:29, Acts 11:20, 2 Corinthians 11:22, Philippians 3:5, Acts 9:39, Acts 9:41, 1 Timothy 5:3, Acts 4:35, Acts 11:29)
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
They were busy in the field of prayer, evangelism, teaching, persuading, winning souls. That is not to say that this was a less worthy work, but that it should be done by persons who can give their time to it more freely.
3 Wherefore brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Several of the deacons, servants, were also evangelists. Philip, for example, was busy converting many in Samaria, when he was called of God and sent to meet with and convert the Ethiopian. This conversion is a masterpiece. It starts with an unprepared African and step by step presents the process of his conversion until, at the end, the Holy Spirit caught Philip away, and the Ethiopian continued on his way, rejoicing. We know, as we look back, that he must have shared as he had taught, for the church in Ethiopia still exists today.
In the case of Stephen, another, we have much of his sermon on record, ending with his vision of heaven and his stoning.
These, two of the seven, reveal that to be a Deacon, a servant of the church, is something to be taken seriously. They were not chosen to fill an “office.” They were chosen to supply the answer to a need. That need might be short termed, or it might be continuing. They might be to be in charge or preparing and serving the Communion; they could be greeters welcoming at the door, they could be visiting the sick, or perhaps they could be all these things at the same time.
(John 21:23, Acts 1:15, Acts 2:4)
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
But the work of the elders, is to teach, to pray, and to minister or perhaps all of these.
(Acts 1:14)
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
It is interesting to note, that the complaint had arisen from the Helenistic members of the church. Every name in this list is a Greek name, not a Hebrew name. When there are problems and complaints, perhaps of those from whom they come, mature men of wisdom of that background should be set aside to provide the answer.
(Acts 6:8, Acts 11:19, Acts 22:20, Acts 6:3, Acts 11:24, Acts 8:5, Acts 21:8, Matthew 23:15, Acts 11:19)
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
In a public act of worship, they were set aside with prayer and set to work. One does not select these men by the term or year, but by the task.
(Acts 1:24, Numbers 8:10, Numbers 27:18, Deuteronomy 34:9, Mark 5:23, Acts 8:17, Acts 9:17, Acts 13:3, Acts 19:6, 1 Timothy 4:142 Timothy 1:6, Hebrews 6:2)
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of priests were obedient to the faith.
Do this and the word planted among men will flourish. We do not “win souls,” we plant the seed on well prepared ground and God blesses it, even to the point in Jerusalem, of converting the “opposition.”
(Acts 12:24, Acts 19:20, Acts 6:1, Acts 13:8, Acts 14:22, Galatians 1:23, Galatians 6:10, Jude 3:20)
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
(John 4:48)
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012
JUNE
10th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 18, Acts 8:1-24, Psalm 71:19-24
11th. Monday – 2 Samuel 19, Acts 8:25-40, Psalm 72
12th. Tuesday - 2 Samuel 20, 21, Acts 9:1-22, Proverbs 73:1-14
13th. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 22, Acts 9:23-43, Proverbs 14:26-35
14th. Thursday - 2 Samuel 23, 24, Acts 10:1-18, Psalm 73:15-28
15th. Friday – 1 Kings 1, Acts 10:19-48, Psalm 74:1-9
16th. Saturday - 1 Kings 2, Acts 11, Psalm 74:10-17
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 822 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://e-books by bob.blogspot.com
Several e-books now available to read on line
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ nine published books
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” - Acts 20:7
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt dp epwpk 0
School Smarts...
A college pizza delivery boy arrived at the house of Mr. Smith. He delivered the pizza to his trailer.
After giving it to him, Mr. Smith asked: "What is the usual tip?"
"Well," replied the youth, "this is my first trip here, but the other guys say if I get a quarter out of you, I'll be doing great."
"Is that so?" snorted Mr. Smith. "Well, just to show them how wrong they are, here's five dollars."
"Thanks," replied the youth, "I'll put this in my school fund."
"What are you studying in school?" asked Larry.
The lad smiled and said: "Applied psychology."
OUR 62ND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WAS LAST SUNDAY
__________
PRAY FOR GUIDANCE:
As you know, the computer was down. We had to call in a Geek from Best Buy to come get it up and going again, apparently a firewall was in conflict with another firewall, but he recommended that I either have them clean up the files to eliminate all the bad files that have built up over the years or get a new computer and reserve it for email and these studies on the web as the desk top machine is going slower and slower and may quit at any time. An alternative would be to buy a new portable machine and dedicate it only to on line things. As we have Verizon, it would not add to our on line costs, so we are “thinking.” The cost would little different between the two choices but the latter would be a fresh start on a new machine..
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
PROOF THAT JESUS WAS DEAD
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB
Newsletter 298 June 3, 2012
___________________________________________________________________________JOHN 19:34-42
The Lord often used simple things to illustrate profound truths. We have no problem associating shed blood as being essential to salvation. Animal sacrifices had been a part of God’s plan for rolling back the sins of the Children of Israel illustrated in the blood splatterd on their door frames at the inauguration feast celebrating the passing over of the death angel in Egypt, and the sacrifices with the use of the blood of the sacrificial animals offered on the altar of the tabernacle and later the temples. Even though perfect animals were chosen, they never removed the sin. They were a representation that which would come.
Christ, who had no sin, came to become the perfect sacrifice, one that would, not roll back, but would remove the sins of the individual. Salvation is a very individual, personal, relationship. I can’t repent for you or anyone else, neither can I be baptized for another, however much I might wish I could, not even for a loved one. I can teach my child, and pray for him, but he has to believe in Jesus whose blood was shed for him, confess his divinity, and obey his command to be baptized for the remission of sins before he can be assured of his salvation. John clearly reports Jesus’ words in John 3:16, “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.” And Peter applies them in Acts 2:38.
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
(1 John 5:6, 1 John 5:8)
When the Roman soldiers were told to hasten the deaths of those on the cross, they did so of the criminals, but not of Jesus. These were hardened men. They knew death when they saw it. They knew Jesus was dead so they made proof positive. They ran a spear into his lifeless body. The fact that water and blood flowed forth was proof enough. If the heart was still beating, blood alone would have gushed forth. They had their proof, and so did John, as he affirms in the next line.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
John 15:27, John 21:24)
36 For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
(John 19:24, John 19:28, Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20)
37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
(Zechariah 12:10, Revelation 1:7)
38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
(John 19:38-42, Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, Mark 15:43, John 7:13)
39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight.
(John 3:1, Mark 16:1, Psalm 45:8, Proverbs 7:17, Proverbs 7:55, Proverbs 4:14, Matthew 2:11, John 12:3)
40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
(Matthew 26:12, Mark 14:8, John 11:44, Luke 24:12, John 20:5, John 20:7)
Joseph of Arimathaea, and Nicodemus, both wealthy, both well known Jewish leaders, but both at that time not openly disciples of Christ, were used of God to fulfill important prophecies concerning the Lord’s death, and burial. After his resurrection, they apparently became openly his followers.
41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid.
(Matthew 27:60, Luke 23:53)
The “Garden Tomb” certainly fills the description, and is certainly near what is called “The Place of the Skull,” but. whether it is truly the tomb of this particular rich man, is uncertain. This is one of those questions we will probably only have answered when he comes in his glory. It is certainly “nigh at hand,” and outside the city walls, both now and then.
42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
(John 19:14, John 19:31, John 19:20, John 19:41)
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012
JUNE
3rd. Sunday – 2 Samuel 4, 5, Acts 3, Psalm 69:13-28
4th. Monday – 2 Samuel 6, 7, Acts 4, Psalm 69:29-36
5th. Tuesday - 2 Samuel 8, 9, Acts 5:1-16, Proverbs 14:10-18
6th. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 10, 11, Acts 5:17-42, Psalm 70
7th. Thursday - 2 Samuel 12, 13, Acts 6, Psalm 71:1-8
8th. Friday – 2 Samuel 14, 15, Acts 7:1-36, Psalm 71:9-18
9th. Saturday - 2 Samuel 16, 17, Acts 7:37-60, Proverbs 14:19-25
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 821 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://e-books by bob.blogspot.com
Several e-books now available to read on line
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
of Phyllis’ nine published books
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt dp epwpk 0
THINK ABOUT THIS
The scribes and other religious leaders in Jesus’ day did not object that Jesus preached and prayed. What bothered them, was the fact that his teaching moved people to action.
Does this sound familiar? Do you feel the restrictions tightening on religious influence? First, the symbols of Christianity are banished. Then prayer is banned from the public arena and consigned to mere “private” devotion. Also, we can preach, but we are not allowed to speak what the Bible speaks, because Biblical content is termed “hate speech” in the world of “political correctness.”
At the end of this road lies a church irrelevant to real life. That’s more like a historical museum, not the church for which Jesus died.
-Selected and adapted - RKO
Newsletter 298 June 3, 2012
___________________________________________________________________________JOHN 19:34-42
The Lord often used simple things to illustrate profound truths. We have no problem associating shed blood as being essential to salvation. Animal sacrifices had been a part of God’s plan for rolling back the sins of the Children of Israel illustrated in the blood splatterd on their door frames at the inauguration feast celebrating the passing over of the death angel in Egypt, and the sacrifices with the use of the blood of the sacrificial animals offered on the altar of the tabernacle and later the temples. Even though perfect animals were chosen, they never removed the sin. They were a representation that which would come.
Christ, who had no sin, came to become the perfect sacrifice, one that would, not roll back, but would remove the sins of the individual. Salvation is a very individual, personal, relationship. I can’t repent for you or anyone else, neither can I be baptized for another, however much I might wish I could, not even for a loved one. I can teach my child, and pray for him, but he has to believe in Jesus whose blood was shed for him, confess his divinity, and obey his command to be baptized for the remission of sins before he can be assured of his salvation. John clearly reports Jesus’ words in John 3:16, “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.” And Peter applies them in Acts 2:38.
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
(1 John 5:6, 1 John 5:8)
When the Roman soldiers were told to hasten the deaths of those on the cross, they did so of the criminals, but not of Jesus. These were hardened men. They knew death when they saw it. They knew Jesus was dead so they made proof positive. They ran a spear into his lifeless body. The fact that water and blood flowed forth was proof enough. If the heart was still beating, blood alone would have gushed forth. They had their proof, and so did John, as he affirms in the next line.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
John 15:27, John 21:24)
36 For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
(John 19:24, John 19:28, Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20)
37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
(Zechariah 12:10, Revelation 1:7)
38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
(John 19:38-42, Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, Mark 15:43, John 7:13)
39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight.
(John 3:1, Mark 16:1, Psalm 45:8, Proverbs 7:17, Proverbs 7:55, Proverbs 4:14, Matthew 2:11, John 12:3)
40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
(Matthew 26:12, Mark 14:8, John 11:44, Luke 24:12, John 20:5, John 20:7)
Joseph of Arimathaea, and Nicodemus, both wealthy, both well known Jewish leaders, but both at that time not openly disciples of Christ, were used of God to fulfill important prophecies concerning the Lord’s death, and burial. After his resurrection, they apparently became openly his followers.
41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid.
(Matthew 27:60, Luke 23:53)
The “Garden Tomb” certainly fills the description, and is certainly near what is called “The Place of the Skull,” but. whether it is truly the tomb of this particular rich man, is uncertain. This is one of those questions we will probably only have answered when he comes in his glory. It is certainly “nigh at hand,” and outside the city walls, both now and then.
42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
(John 19:14, John 19:31, John 19:20, John 19:41)
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012
JUNE
3rd. Sunday – 2 Samuel 4, 5, Acts 3, Psalm 69:13-28
4th. Monday – 2 Samuel 6, 7, Acts 4, Psalm 69:29-36
5th. Tuesday - 2 Samuel 8, 9, Acts 5:1-16, Proverbs 14:10-18
6th. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 10, 11, Acts 5:17-42, Psalm 70
7th. Thursday - 2 Samuel 12, 13, Acts 6, Psalm 71:1-8
8th. Friday – 2 Samuel 14, 15, Acts 7:1-36, Psalm 71:9-18
9th. Saturday - 2 Samuel 16, 17, Acts 7:37-60, Proverbs 14:19-25
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 821 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://e-books by bob.blogspot.com
Several e-books now available to read on line
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
of Phyllis’ nine published books
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt dp epwpk 0
THINK ABOUT THIS
The scribes and other religious leaders in Jesus’ day did not object that Jesus preached and prayed. What bothered them, was the fact that his teaching moved people to action.
Does this sound familiar? Do you feel the restrictions tightening on religious influence? First, the symbols of Christianity are banished. Then prayer is banned from the public arena and consigned to mere “private” devotion. Also, we can preach, but we are not allowed to speak what the Bible speaks, because Biblical content is termed “hate speech” in the world of “political correctness.”
At the end of this road lies a church irrelevant to real life. That’s more like a historical museum, not the church for which Jesus died.
-Selected and adapted - RKO
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