May you have a safe and blessed 4th of July!

A little background on our Declaration of Independence, declaring us as a united nation and united people, no longer 13 colonies of the British Crown.

Those five men noted on slide defined the basis for our independence. Over the course of seventeen days, in between meetings and other governmental affairs, Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence under the advisement of the Committee. An act that secured Jefferson’s name in history forever. 

The formal signing of the Declaration of Independence took place at the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 2nd 1776, by Delegates to the Second Continental Congress. George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison are counted as “Founding Fathers” but were not delegates at the time and did not sign the Declaration. Washington resigned his position as a Virginia delegate when Congress formed the Continental Army and appointed him commanding general on June 14, 1775.

Each delegate came forward to sign the Declaration of Independence as representatives for their respective newly declared states, v. former British colonies.  

Opening words of the Declaration, continued on next slide.

Acknowledging that our rights come from God, and not decreed by the will of government. 

In signing this document, each man placed his life, liberty and fortune on the line. Five of those signers were captured by the British as traitors and brutalized before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

The Original 13 States. 

At great risk, many even losing their life, migrated west to build the Nation. 

Almost 12 million immigrants were processed through the immigration station on Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954 at which time the station closed.

Unregistered and uncontrolled illegal immigration across our Southern border…  It's estimated that there are approximately 14.5 million illegal immigrants. Other estimates, probably more accurate estimates indicate there are 22 million illegals in USA. No nation can sustain its identity or culture with endless uncontrolled immigration. Pray for those people and nations that they may establish and follow the values that made America great. If America wasn't a great nation, why would endless millions being trying to enter anyway they can? 

Sadly, many school no longer open the school day with the pledge of allegiance. 

Sadly, if children aren't taught respect for the flag and our founding values, this is the outcome.

Lets hope and pray that our pledge and prayers are turned back toward God both in the schools and across the Nation.

President Ronald Reagan gave us an important lesson, with these words, that continued freedom depends on what we teach our children. It is not inherited through the bloodstream. 

Just as stated by President Reagan, our future as a Nation, rests not only with our youth but even more so with those who teach them. 

God hasn’t forsaken His people. Nor should we underestimate the power of prayer, even for our Nation. This is why our current study of Power in Prayer, each Sunday at 9:00 AM, in Heritage Lounge, is relevant. I hope you join us. 

If you look closely, you will see many of our former leaders, from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln and many more. 

Who are called by My name...

Amen!

May you have a safe and blessed 4th of July!

The End

In Chap. 13 we see the spread of Christianity from Judea into other regions of the Roman Empire, first to the Jew and then to the Greek (as Gentiles were referred to). There is a lot of background information in chapter 13; so, not to make this chapter too long, it is being divided into two weeks. 

As we see in v.2, the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a force. Laying on of hands is a sign of being set apart for a specific service. We will take a closer look at these disciples who played a significant role in spreading the Gospel message beyond Judea.

In Acts 9:27, when Saul returned to Jerusalem, Barnabas is the one that brought him to the apostles because they were fearful of Saul who had set out to destroy “the Way” considering it a heresy. Barnabas also defended Gentile converts against Judaizes who insisted that they be circumcised in the same way as converts to Judaism had been. In Acts 15, Paul & Barnabas have a fallen out and part company (to be discussed then--so stay tuned). 

Niger was the Latin name given to Simeon as described on the slide, especially when dealing with the Gentile, Roman world. 

As shown on the map, the Niger river in Africa (yellow arrow) runs through the country of Nigeria (star). The river was the basis for naming the country Nigeria. 

As noted on the slide, Lucius of Cyrene was one of the founders of the Church in Antioch, Syria. When we think of Christianity in general, we tend to think of Europe. But northern Africa played a significant role in the early church. Both there and the Middle East constituted the cradle of Christianity. Origen of Alexandria (184-253 AD) was a noted church historian.

Essenes were zealots believed responsible for copying the Dead Sea scrolls to preserve them.  When Herod died his kingdom was divided between his 4 sons. Herod Antipas was to whom Pontius Pilot sent Jesus—because He was a Galilean—to stand trial.  Map shows how Herod’s kingdom was divided between his 4 sons. 

Barnabas and Saul’s missionary journey began as directed by the Holy Spirit in v.2, which began by ship to the Island of Cyprus as shown on the next slide.

Saul, a.k.a. Paul set out on his first missionary journey, shown on the map on the next slide. The John noted in v.5 was John Mark, the son of a well-to-do Christian woman in Jerusalem, whose house appears to have been the resort of the brethren as early as the period of Peter’s miraculous deliverance from prison described in chap. 12.

The cities of Salamis (v.5) and Paphos (v.6) are on the isle of Cyprus as shown. Paul and Barnabas’ journey began at the port city of Seleucia, about 16 miles south of Antioch, Syria. The distance from Seleucia to Salamis is about 130 miles by sea in the type of ship shown on the previous slide. 

Shaded area on map is the Mediterranean Sea; white area is land. Map shows Paul’s first missionary journey which is covered in chapters 13 & 14, starting at Isle of Cyprus, then over into Roman Asia (currently Asia Minor in modern day Turkey)—their departure and return was the port city of Seleucia just south of Antioch in Syria. 

This expanded map puts Paul’s first missionary journey into perspective with what constituted the Eastern Roman Empire (later referred to as the Byzantine Empire), that collapsed in 1453 AD when invaded by the Islamic Ottoman Turks. The western portion of the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD due to internal decline. No longer capable of defending itself, it fell to Germanic tribes from the north. The Roman Empire then, provided safe travel on land and sea, which provided fertile ground for spreading the Gospel. 

The Roman Empire, and its established order (Pax Romana: established law and order that preserved peace between the different ethnic groups within the Empire, thus providing protection on both land and sea), and a common language of Koine Greek due to the conquest of Alexander the Great, both of which opened that part of the world for spreading the Gospel. Law and Order and a common language laid the groundwork for Paul and Barnabas’ travels by God's sovereign grace.

Photo shows ruins of ancient Paphos. Paul and Barnabas met two sorcerers, Bar-Jesus and Elymas. Sorcery is the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining. The name Jesus is said to have been popular in first-century Judea. For this reason, our Lord was often called “Jesus of Nazareth,” distinguishing Him by His childhood home, the town of Nazareth in Galilee. Bar-Jesus means “son-of-Jesus”, a translation of “son-of-Joshua”. 

In addition to what’s noted, what does it mean to be “a child of the devil” as stated in v.10? Next slide…

Both socerers, Elymas and Bar-Jesus, had an influence on the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was either the governor or military leader of the city/region. Paul’s comments certainly would have had an impact. 

Was the blindness that came over Elymas—the Sorcerer and False Prophet—the work of the Holy Spirit? The obvious answer has to be “yes”. Why? What made it significant? It must have impacted Sergius Paulus, a Roman official who recognized power, and who was under the influencer of Elymas and Bar-Jesus.  

This highlights the power of Paul for sharing God’s Word. From here forward, Saul is better known as Paul, which is the Roman (i.e., Latin) form of the Hebrew name, Saul. 

From Paphos they traveled to Antioch in Pisidia. A region that passed into Roman hands in 25 B.C. during rein of Augustus Caesar, who transformed the region into a Roman colony and transplanted large numbers of Roman citizens and a substantial minority of Jewish inhabitants, many of whom were merchants and shop keepers. 

Synagogue worship services on the Sabbath included reading of the Law (exposition) and the Prophets (application), concluding with a benediction. The verses don’t tell us why they invited Paul and Barnabas to come and speak to them. Perhaps they heard about Jesus, who was a Jew, many professed to be the long awaited Messiah, and wanted to understand what Paul’s message was all about. Perhaps Paul had already introduced himself to the leadership; having been educated as a Pharisee may have piqued their interest. 

Pisidia Antioch (an ancient Greek city before Rome) is about 100 miles north of Perga, and 3,600 feet above sea level. So it was an uphill trek. To distinguish it from Antioch in Syria, it was called “Antioch in Pisidia” or “Pisidia Antioch”. Its ruins are near the current city of Antakya, in modern day Turkey. Today, that entire region is Islamic, which will be part of a future study on how the then Christian world succumbed to Islam.

Remnants of the once prosperous and flourishing ancient Roman/Greek city of Pisidia Antioch. A once great empire brought to destruction as other great empires before it. A reason why we need to pray for the United States of America. Our current Foundations GPS study in Heritage Lounge, Sunday at 9:00 A,M., is on the “Power of Prayer”, and how to pray accordingly. 

Pray that the Holy Spirit may awaken those in authority, including the U.S. Congress, the Presidential Administration, state and local elected officials, and the American people. Pray for wisdom and protection for our Pastor, his family and our church. 

What does it take to be a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ? Adrian Rogers’ 34-minute message: How to Be a Fully Committed Disciple of Jesus, provides insight. 

https://youtu.be/0DimGAL9TS4

(copy and paste into your web browser)

End of
The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 13 (part 1)

I was reminded that “six weeks is the average attention span for any topic”, including the Book of Acts, which contains 28 chapters. So, we will take a brief intermission. Our previous interlude followed Acts chapter 7. We’ll return with chapter 13, as it moves away from Judea and turns its focus toward the Gentile world, including the people and regions of the ancient Roman Empire.

In Psalm 139 King David, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, provides insight into our relationship with God. An awesome, all-wise and all-knowing God, who not only sees, but understands every aspect of who we are, including our inner most thoughts and deepest secrets.

God has perfect knowledge of man—past, present and future. Psalm 139 is considered one of the most excellent of the Psalms of David, inspired as a pious devout meditation upon the doctrine of God's omniscience! God is not out there somewhere, but right here, right now. Nothing we do is hidden from His sight. It encourages us to form a closer relationship in our daily walk with Him. 

Time itself, every second of each year, encompassing all of history, is laid out before God like a tapestry. We are told in Isa 46:10, I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. 

God knows each beat of our heart and every inner most thought. We have a unique relationship with Him that’s not possible with any other. In the Bible, King David is referred to as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). A relationship made possible for us in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—there is no other way to bridge the gap that separated us from God.

God not only sees our every action, but He foresees our every thought, even before we do. God sees every future occurrence that will touch our life, even before they occur. He is all knowing, all wise, all powerful, and yes, all merciful. 

He knows what we will do even before we do it. He sees every occurrence before they happen, including our inner most thoughts and unspoken words before they are formed. With our mind and heart turned toward Him, He guides us in all our ways, as a loving and caring Father, watchful over every moment of our life.

No matter where we are and where we go in our walk with Him we are literally secure in His hands. Even in the best and the worst of times. V.6 reminds us that such knowledge is beyond our understanding, especially during difficult times, when we wonder, “Where is God?”. But, as we are told in v.5, He has not abandoned nor forsaken us.

God is everywhere present. He knows all—what was, what is, and what is yet to come. Like a tapestry, all of time and history are laid out before Him. He is everywhere present and there is nowhere we can flee from His presence. When we place our faith and trust in Him, His hand will guide us and we will be secure in His presence. His Holy Spirit abides with us. 

There is no escape from His presence—in both good times and bad, He is there. He is preparing our eternal destiny. He created us for a reason; shaping and molding who we will be, preparing a place for us in the new heaven and new earth—a joy and blessing we could never imagine. 

We cannot hide from His presence at any moment or in any situation. Even in sin, He sees us, and calls for repentance and return to fellowship. We cannot escape His presence, nor should we want to. Cling to fellowship with Him always and everywhere, even at this very moment. He has not forsaken us, nor should we turn away from Him. 

Think about what the words are telling us in v.13-14, that He knitted us together in our mother’s womb from the very moment of conception; creating us as a distinct individual. We are carefully crafted, with every cell woven together; one of a kind, distinct from every human ever born or yet to be born, even in our final eternal destiny with Him we will be unique in and of Christ Jesus. 

Even before we were conceived, He knew each of us in a personal way. There are no clones, only unique individuals. 

His thoughts provide a sense of comfort and pleasure in our soul, to fill us with a pleasant admiration of God. Taking comfort each day of our life; aware of our special relationship with God the Father, in faith through His Son Jesus Christ, being “born again” through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

V.19-20 are a reminder that sin and wickedness are a stumbling blocks to our relationship with a Holy and just God, and offer encouragement to separate ourselves from any sinful pleasure that may distract our attention away from our walk with Him. 

We are told not to embrace sin, nor encourage sinful actions, or walk in the ways of sinful pleasure. 

Standing before Him with a holy and joyful satisfaction through the merits of Jesus Christ, through whom we may appeal to God in every aspect of our life. 

David’s words served as a prayerful meditation for him, just as they can for us. 

Amen!

Stay mindful of this truth, that God's plan for our life, exceed all daily circumstances, no matter what they may be. May God bless you and yours today, tomorrow, and always! 

End of Reflections on Psalm 139