(Lesson 2745)(06-30-19) Acts 9:23-31
“And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
Today’s quote relates how the Jews attempted to lay a trap so as to kill Saul as he went out of the city of Damascus. Whereas, after sucessfully escaping the Jews by trickery, Saul (Paul) continued fervently preaching the name of Jesus to anyone who would listen, causing the church to grow rapidly throughout the region.~
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Lesson 2744
(Lesson 2744)(06-29-19) Acts 9:19-22
“And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.”
Today’s quote relates that Saul, after a short period with the the Christians at Damascus, began to fervently preach that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. That message, coming from Saul, confounded those who had known him to be a torturer of Christians.
The example of Saul’s conversion is the perfect lesson as to what a lost soul should do to become a child of God. A lost soul should profess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God committing to Him entirely by faith for the remission of sins. And then, that child of God is to do as Saul did, he/she should preach the message of God’s saving grace through the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. That message should be preached to every soul who is willing to listen.~
“And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.”
Today’s quote relates that Saul, after a short period with the the Christians at Damascus, began to fervently preach that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. That message, coming from Saul, confounded those who had known him to be a torturer of Christians.
The example of Saul’s conversion is the perfect lesson as to what a lost soul should do to become a child of God. A lost soul should profess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God committing to Him entirely by faith for the remission of sins. And then, that child of God is to do as Saul did, he/she should preach the message of God’s saving grace through the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. That message should be preached to every soul who is willing to listen.~
Friday, June 28, 2019
Lesson 2743
(Lesson 2743)(06-28-19) Acts 9:10-18
“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”
Today’s quote relates that upon God’s command, Ananias, an obedient disciple of Christ, although he was clearly afraid because of the cruel way Saul had treated his Christian brothers and sisters, went to obey the command God had shown him in a vision.
Yesterday I expressed the importance of remembering why Saul was sent to Damascus. And today’s quote makes that purpose very clear. Saul was to have his sight restored AND TO RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST.
When Ananias found Saul, by laying his hands upon him, Ananias restored Saul's sight as God had commanded. Once again, the Holy Ghost appears to have been imparted by the laying on of hands; However, when Ananias laid his hands upon Saul, the only thing that happened was that the scales fell from his eyes. The quote clearly says that after Saul had received his sight, he “arose and was baptized”.
The importance of remembering what Saul was to learn is because many so-called Christians, erroneously believe that the word “baptized”, as it is applied in today’s quote, refers to a water ritual. In truth, the baptism that Saul experienced after Ananias had laid his hands upon him, was the baptism of the Holy Ghost. That same baptism of the Holy Ghost that John the baptist said Jesus would administer for those who would believe in Him. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” (Matthew 3:11)
So far as I have been able to find, NONE of the fourteen men that were chosen to be apostles were ever baptized in water. ~
“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”
Today’s quote relates that upon God’s command, Ananias, an obedient disciple of Christ, although he was clearly afraid because of the cruel way Saul had treated his Christian brothers and sisters, went to obey the command God had shown him in a vision.
Yesterday I expressed the importance of remembering why Saul was sent to Damascus. And today’s quote makes that purpose very clear. Saul was to have his sight restored AND TO RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST.
When Ananias found Saul, by laying his hands upon him, Ananias restored Saul's sight as God had commanded. Once again, the Holy Ghost appears to have been imparted by the laying on of hands; However, when Ananias laid his hands upon Saul, the only thing that happened was that the scales fell from his eyes. The quote clearly says that after Saul had received his sight, he “arose and was baptized”.
The importance of remembering what Saul was to learn is because many so-called Christians, erroneously believe that the word “baptized”, as it is applied in today’s quote, refers to a water ritual. In truth, the baptism that Saul experienced after Ananias had laid his hands upon him, was the baptism of the Holy Ghost. That same baptism of the Holy Ghost that John the baptist said Jesus would administer for those who would believe in Him. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” (Matthew 3:11)
So far as I have been able to find, NONE of the fourteen men that were chosen to be apostles were ever baptized in water. ~
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Lesson 2742
(Lesson 2742)(06-27-19) Acts 9:3-9
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”
Today’s quote relates how Saul (Paul) was stricken blind by Jesus as he traveled toward Damascus to persecute more Christians.
It is very important to remember that Jesus told Saul that he would be instructed as to what he should do when he reached Damascus. Those instructions, and what they mean, will be a part of tomorrow’s lesson.~
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”
Today’s quote relates how Saul (Paul) was stricken blind by Jesus as he traveled toward Damascus to persecute more Christians.
It is very important to remember that Jesus told Saul that he would be instructed as to what he should do when he reached Damascus. Those instructions, and what they mean, will be a part of tomorrow’s lesson.~
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Lesson 2741
(Lesson 2741)(06-26-19) Acts 9:1-2
“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”
Today’s lesson relates how Saul (Soon to be Paul) received permission to punish Christians.~
“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”
Today’s lesson relates how Saul (Soon to be Paul) received permission to punish Christians.~
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Lesson 2740
(Lesson 2740)(06-25-19) Acts 8:26-40
“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and 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. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”
Today’s quote contains information that is not only inconsistent with New Testament intent but is in actual contrast with documented history as well; Therefore, I believe those fifteen verses should be taken with a grain of salt.
First: There is only one other reference in the New Testament that implies that a human may have been carried by the spirit from one place to another. That was when Satan carried Jesus into the desert to tempt Him.
Second: For a eunuch from Ethiopia to have possession of a copy of the book of Isaiah would have been a virtual impossibility at that time. That is because it is a part of the “book of the twelve” which Jews guarded with their lives in order to preserve it’s explicit accuracy.
We must remember that in those times there were no copiers nor printers. For that eunuch to have possessed a copy of Isaiah would have been a miracle in itself since it would have required that the Jews make a special scroll, just for him. From what I have been able to find in the bible as well as the historical record, that would not have been allowed by the Jewish hierarchy under ANY circumstance.
There are more inconsistencies in those fifteen verses that can be easily exposed with a thorough study; Therefore, seeing that those verses have no specific relevance to the doctrine of Jesus Christ, I have decided to ignore the content classifying it as just a bit more Roman Catholic maipulation of the intent of the New Testament. ~
“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and 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. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”
Today’s quote contains information that is not only inconsistent with New Testament intent but is in actual contrast with documented history as well; Therefore, I believe those fifteen verses should be taken with a grain of salt.
First: There is only one other reference in the New Testament that implies that a human may have been carried by the spirit from one place to another. That was when Satan carried Jesus into the desert to tempt Him.
Second: For a eunuch from Ethiopia to have possession of a copy of the book of Isaiah would have been a virtual impossibility at that time. That is because it is a part of the “book of the twelve” which Jews guarded with their lives in order to preserve it’s explicit accuracy.
We must remember that in those times there were no copiers nor printers. For that eunuch to have possessed a copy of Isaiah would have been a miracle in itself since it would have required that the Jews make a special scroll, just for him. From what I have been able to find in the bible as well as the historical record, that would not have been allowed by the Jewish hierarchy under ANY circumstance.
There are more inconsistencies in those fifteen verses that can be easily exposed with a thorough study; Therefore, seeing that those verses have no specific relevance to the doctrine of Jesus Christ, I have decided to ignore the content classifying it as just a bit more Roman Catholic maipulation of the intent of the New Testament. ~
Monday, June 24, 2019
Lesson 2739
(Lesson 2739)(06-24-19) Acts 8:18-25
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”
Today’s quote relates how Simon the Sorcerer attempted to buy, from the apostles, the power to bestow the Holy Ghost. That act caused Peter to scold Simon and challenge him to repent and turn from his wicked ways.~
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”
Today’s quote relates how Simon the Sorcerer attempted to buy, from the apostles, the power to bestow the Holy Ghost. That act caused Peter to scold Simon and challenge him to repent and turn from his wicked ways.~
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