Tag Archive | Apostles

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 349-350 (Part 1)

Dec16

   Days 349 & 350—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE:  Sunday & Monday studies are posted together on MONDAYS. (This is Part ONE.)

Day 349 – Colossians 1 – 4, Philemon. (Personal matters, instructions, practical things)  (A request of Philemon)

Colossians 1.

Paul, writing from prison in Rome, and Timothy send their greetings to the church in Colossae by the hand of Tychicus. Although Paul has never personally ministered there, he thanks God for them and prays earnestly for them, that they “will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, and bearing fruit in every good work.”

Colossians 2.

Paul reminds them (and the church at nearby Laodicea) that they are to “walk” in Christ Jesus the Lord, rooted and built up in Him, as they were taught (by Epaphras), and to abound with thanksgiving.  They are to beware of anyone who would steer them away from the true faith in Christ. Because they, who were dead in trespasses, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven all their trespasses by canceling the debt record against them.  This God set aside, nailing it to the cross of Jesus.

Colossians 3.

Since now, they have been raised with Christ to new life, they are to “seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. “Set your minds on things that are above, and not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  They are also to “Put to death what is earthly in you (sins of action, thought, and speech), seeing that they have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”  Paul then lists the godly attitudes and actions that they are to “put on” that please God.

“Wives submit to your husbands… Husbands love your wives… Children, obey your parents… Fathers, do not provoke your children… Slaves obey in everything, and not just by paying ‘lip service….”  Masters treat your slaves justly and fairly…”

Colossians 4. 

Paul gives a few final exhortations. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, with thanksgiving. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt, so you know how you ought to answer each other.”

He closes with a long list of greetings. He says Tychicus will tell them about all his activities, so as to encourage them. 

Then he mentions Onesimus, who is with Tychicus. (See Philemon’s letter below.)  He calls him his faithful and beloved brother and says the two men will tell the Colossians ALL that has happened.

He also mentions Epaphras, their founder, and tells them he struggles daily in prayer on their behalf, that they would stand “mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

His closing words are, “Remember my chains. Grace be with you all.”

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Philemon.

 Along with the letter to the church at Colossae, Paul sends this personal letter to Philemon, in whose large house the church meets. Tychicus hand-delivers it to him along with his former slave, Onesimus.

Paul first reminds Philemon that he remembers him always in his prayers, thanking God for his love and faith toward Jesus and all the saints. Paul’s heart is blessed to hear how Philemon has “refreshed the hearts of the saints.”  But now, Paul has a favor to ask.

The history is that Onesimus was a slave of Philemon. Onesimus had done some wrong to his master – perhaps stolen from him – and had run away. (a capital offense)  By God’s will and grace, the slave had ended up in Rome and had heard Paul preaching.  He’d been won to Christ by the Holy Spirit and become Paul’s “righthand man” and a “beloved brother in Christ.”

Paul would have loved to “keep him” but knew what to do.  He sent Onesimus back with Tychicus and the letters. (This shows Onesimus’ changed heart in his willingness to go.)  Now, it was up to Philemon. He had every right to punish his slave, even by death, but Paul asked him to treat Onesimus as “a brother in Christ.”  Paul offers to pay any debt that might have been incurred. (Paul even signs his own signature here.)

Paul is very confident in Philemon’s obedience, knowing he will do what he asks. 

“Oh, and prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers, I will be graciously coming to you.”

(We don’t KNOW, but we can feel very sure that Philemon welcomed Onesimus back as a fellow believer in Christ and put him to work for the Kingdom of God, which the ex-slave gladly did.)

 

***Usually, I post TWO DAYS’ worth of study on Monday, but since these are complete books, I will put Ephesians in a separate post. 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 323

Nov19

    Day 323—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 323 – Acts 9 – 10 (Saul persecutes, Saul saved & commissioned, Peter heals Aeneas & Dorcus, Peter & Cornelius/gentiles)

Acts 9.

Saul, an extreme Pharisee and keeper of every letter of the Law, is out to punish or kill anyone whom he believes is NOT keeping it. The new growing group of believers in Christ seems to be the biggest threat, so he wildly runs to and fro, jailing them and killing them, with the total agreement of the religious leaders.  Believers flee Jerusalem for safety and to fulfill Jesus’ command to take the Good News to the surrounding areas and the world.

With papers of authority to the synagogues to arrest any he found of “The Way,” Saul charges towards Damascus. But on the way, Jesus stops him with a blinding vision and a direct word. Jesus identifies with His followers when He asks Saul, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Saul, having been thrown to the ground and now blind, asks who the voice is. Jesus identifies Himself and tells Saul to go into the city and wait.

He obeys and spends three blind days praying (and perhaps receiving clarity about the Scriptures he sought to protect and how they related to Jesus as the Messiah, much like the two on the road to Emmaus).  Then, a believer named Ananias fearfully obeys God, comes to Saul, and touches his eyes. Saul’s blindness leaves and the Holy Spirit enters his soul.  He is immediately baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah.

Full of the Holy Spirit and the corrected teaching of the Law concerning Jesus, Saul immediately starts proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues in Damascus, saying, “Jesus is the Son of God.”  At first the people could not believe he was the same man whose threats they feared. But Saul increased in wisdom concerning the Scriptures, proving that Jesus was the Christ, and they embraced him.

Now, of course, it is Saul whose life is in danger from the Jews. And the believers smuggle him out of the city at night in a basket let down over the wall.

(NOTE:  This may be when Saul spent three years in Arabia, studying and receiving direct revelation from God about Jesus in the Scriptures, preparing him to go to the Gentiles with the Good News. See Galatians 1:11-17)

Next, Saul goes to Jerusalem and attempts to join the disciples, but they are still fear him. Barnabas – that “son of encouragement” – takes Saul under his wing and vouches for him. So Saul boldly preaches the Good News and disputes with the very Hellenists in the synagogue he’d belonged to. But they seek to kill him, as they had done to Stephen, so the brothers send him back to his hometown of Tarsus in Cilicia, where he ministers for years.   And the church multiplies.

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Meanwhile, Peter is ministering along the coast at Lydda. He preaches to the believers there and heals a man who’d been crippled for eight years, causing many more to turn to the Lord.

Next, he goes north to Joppa and learns that a saintly woman, Tabitha (Dorcas is her Greek name), who did many good works of charity, has died. He goes to there and sees all the sewing she’s done for the poor. He goes into the house, kneels down, and speaks to her body, “Tabitha, arise,” and she is raised to life.  Many more believe in the Lord.

Next, Peter goes to Simon, the tanner, and stays in Joppa with him.

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Acts 10.

In Caesarea, about 30 miles north of Joppa, there is a Roman Centurion named Cornelius.  He is a devout man who fears God, with all his household.  He continually prays to God and is generous with giving alms. One day, he receives a vision of an angel (who terrifies him). The angel says his prayers and alms have been noticed by God.  The angel directs Cornelius to Joppa to escort Simon Peter back to his house. The next day, he sends a couple servants and a soldier to Joppa.

Meanwhile, back in Joppa, it’s noon, and Peter is hungry. While he’s waiting for lunch, God shows him a vision, repeated three times. (Peter is good with threes, it seems!)  A colossal sheet is let down – from Heaven – containing all kinds of “unclean” animals, like reptiles, raptors, camels, hogs, and rabbits.  Peter is told to kill and eat them.

“NO WAY!” says the ex-fisherman. “I have NEVER eaten anything common or unclean.”

THREE TIMES this happens. (Sigh)

Peter is left perplexed as to what the vision might mean. But he doesn’t have to wait long, for the men (Gentiles and “unclean”) that Cornelius sent have arrived at his door.  While he might hesitate to let these men into the house, Peter gets another word from God.  “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

Peter goes beyond listening to these men. He invites them in as his guests to eat and stay the night!

The next morning, Peter – and a few brothers as witnesses – goes with them on the journey back to Caesarea.

At Caesarea, after a little hesitation, Peter and the brothers go into this Gentile home, which is now crowded with people eager to hear what he says.  The story of the vision is told (and maybe Peter’s visions as well).  And so, Peter opens his mouth and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is Lord over all, now going to  “people of every nation who believe.”

At the end of his sermon about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and the offer of forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name to all who believe…. OH MY!  The Holy Spirit falls on this room full of Gentiles, and they speak with other tongues and praise God – just like Peter and the others at Pentecost!

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” declares Peter, amazed.  He commands them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then he stays there some days (teaching them the scriptures concerning Jesus).

NOTE:  The door to “the uttermost part of the world” has been opened. Peter has used his “keys of the kingdom” to unlock it.  He must do a little explaining to the group in Jerusalem, but then God has His powerful ambassador, Saul/Paul, poised to step through that door with the message to the then-known world. Jesus Saves!

All praise and glory to Jesus and to God Supreme!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 321 & 322

Nov18

    Day 321 & 322—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

NOTE: Sunday and Monday readings are posted together on Mondays.

Day 321 – Acts 4 – 6 (Persecution begins, boldness, Ananias/Sapphira, Deacons, Stephen)

Acts 4.

As Peter was preaching, the religious leaders became greatly annoyed, especially the Sadducees, because he was proclaiming that Jesus was resurrected. The more liberal sect of the Jews, the Sadducees, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Despite many people believing the good news and being saved, Peter and John were arrested.

The next day, these liberal religious leaders interrogated them. “By what power or name did you heal that beggar?”  This question only served to get the Spirit-filled Peter to preach again.

“Let it be known to ALL of you, and to the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth — whom YOU crucified — whom God raised from the dead, by Him, this man is standing well.  This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by YOU, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The interrogators were astonished at the boldness of Peter and John, having perceived that they were uneducated, common men.  And seeing the familiar beggar standing there well, they had “nothing to say.”  They set the men aside in another room and conferred among themselves.  “What shall we do with these men? What they have done is a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.”

Bringing the apostles back they commanded them to no longer speak or teach AT ALL in the name of Jesus. Peter and John answered, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

The religious leaders threatened them but had to let them go. There was no way to punish them because the people were all praising God for what had happened.

Back where the believers met, there was joy. They praised the Sovereign Lord for His work and His prophesy. And they prayed, “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant, Jesus.”  And while they prayed, the place was shaken, and the Holy Spirit filled all who were there.

The believers (5000+) were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him were his own but shared freely.  As they shared their testimony to the resurrection of Jesus, great grace was upon them.

One man, Barnabas (son of encouragement) who was a Levite from Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money to the apostles to distribute among them.

Acts 5.

A couple — Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  They kept back a portion for themselves and brought the rest to the apostles, SAYING it was the entire amount.  Peter, by the discernment of the Holy Spirit, called Ananias out. “Satan has filled your heart to LIE to the Holy Spirit. Was not the land YOURS?  Were not the proceeds from the sale YOURS?  It was not wrong to keep back some for yourselves, but it WAS SIN to say otherwise.  You have not lied to men but to God.”  And Ananias fell down dead.

Three hours later, when Sapphira came in with the same story, she followed her husband in death. “And great fear came upon the whole church and all who heard of these things.”

Many signs and wonders were done regularly among the people by the hands of the apostles. And more than ever, the LORD added multitudes of men and women to the church.  Many brought their sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits to the apostles, and they were healed.

But the high priest rose up, along with the party of the Sadducees. They were filled with jealousy and arrested the apostles, and put them in the public prison.  But during the night and angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out. He said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” And, at daybreak, they entered the temple and began to teach.

The high priest and all his “men” were perplexed.  How did the apostles get out of prison and go to the Temple???   A bit fearful now, the captain and the officers brought the apostles back to the religious leaders, but with courtesy, not with force, because they were afraid of the people.

“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, and yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” (Don’t they remember calling this curse on themselves before Pilate? Matthew 27:25)

But Peter answered, “We must obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers raised Jesus —whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree –God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  We are witnesses to these things.”

This enraged the Sadducees, and they wanted to KILL the apostles, but… a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, said, “Take care what you are about to do with these men. Keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail, but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. YOU might even be found opposing God!”

They took Gamaliel’s advice and let them go, once again charging them not to speak in the name of Jesus.  The apostles left the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.  And they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 6.

Now (sigh) a complaint arose from the Hellenist Jews who were saved that their widows were not getting the help that the Hebrew widows were. Peter and the others did not want to take time away from prayer and teaching to deal with this. So seven godly men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, were chosen to head up this duty. Two of them were men of faith, Stephen and Philip (and five others).

The number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, AND a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Praise God!)

Stephen was also a great preacher. He got into some trouble with the men of a local synagogue. It contained men from Cilicia and Asia, and could have included the fiery Pharisee named Saul.  These men were not able to withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which Stephen was speaking, and secretly instigated others to say he blasphemed against Moses (the law) and God. They stirred up the people and the elders and scribes, and brought him before the council.

They set up false witnesses against Stephen, much like they had done to Jesus. They “said” they heard him saying that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change the customs of Moses.

Whoa boy! Not again.

But…. gazing at Stephen, all who sat in the council saw that his face (glowed) like the face of an angel.”

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Day 322 – Acts 7 – 8 (Stephen’s sermon, Saul, Samaria, Ethiopian converted)

Acts 7.

In the Sanhedrin Council meeting, Stephen – unlike Jesus – is allowed to speak his mind.  He begins, then relates the entire history of the Jewish faith.  There is a point he is heading towards, and when he makes it, the Council explodes into manic violence.

Stephen begins his speech with God appearing to Abraham (then Abram) and calling him out of Ur to a place of promise, a land that God would show him.  Abraham, in faith, follows the LORD’s words. The promise continued through Isaac and Jacob, who became the father of the twelve patriarchs. 

Stephen’s next point is about Joseph, who was sold to Egypt as a slave but became Israel’s savior. Jacob and the rest of the family (70 in all) moved to Egypt under Joseph’s leadership to escape the great famine. There they stayed for 400+ years until God raised up Moses as their deliverer. 

At first Israel did not believe Moses or want to follow him, but through a series of miracle judgments on Egypt, Moses led a million people out of slavery.  In the wilderness, God established His law with Israel, and they built a holy meeting place for Him. Later, King Solomon built the holy Temple.

It’s almost like the Council has been lured into a catatonic state. They listen in silence, until…..

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom YOU have now betrayed and murdered, YOU who received the law as delivered by angels and DID NOT KEEP IT!”

WHOA!!  This enraged the religious leaders and they “ground their teeth at Stephen.”

But HE, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and SAW the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

He told them what he saw, and they screamed, held their ears, and rushed at him.  They hauled him outside the city and STONED STEPHEN TO DEATH. As they were stoning him, Stephen cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” and “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

And Stephen died. He was Christianity’s first martyr. 

And the young man from that synagogue of Cilicia stood watching. He guarded the robes of those who were hurling stones at Stephen.  An evil smirk was on his face.  He approved of the killing. His name was Saul.

Acts 8.

On that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (just as Jesus had said).  The apostles remained in Jerusalem, but those scattered went preaching the Word of Salvation.

Saul “ravaged the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

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In Samaria, Philip proclaimed Christ. The crowds paid attention and saw the signs he performed in Christ’s name.  Unclean spirits were driven out, and the paralyzed or lame were healed.  Joy filled the city. 

But a sorcerer named Simon was jealous when the people he’d formerly bewitched believed Philip’s words and turned to Jesus. Both men and women were baptized. EVEN Simon was (or seemed to be) converted and was baptized.

The apostles in Jerusalem heard of the Samarian revival and sent Peter and John to check it out.  These two apostles prayed that the people might receive the Holy Spirit. They laid hands on them, and they received the Spirit.  When Simon, the ex-magician, saw this, he offered the apostles money to have the same “laying-on-hands” power. But Peter rebuked him. “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!  Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord to be forgiven. 

We don’t know if Simon repented and prayed.

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Next, the Lord sent Philip south to a desert place on a portion of the road that heads to Gaza.  He obeyed and met an Ethiopian eunuch riding in a chariot. (He was an official of the Queen of the Ethiopians.)  It seems like the man had been in Jerusalem for the Feasts.  He was reading a portion of the book of Isaiah and didn’t understand it.  Perhaps he even asked God for someone to explain it to him.

And here comes Philip trotting alongside the chariot. Philip saw that he was reading Isaiah and asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading.  The eunuch invited Philip up into the chariot and as they went along, Philip explained Jesus in the Isaiah passage and beyond.  Soon, the eunuch believed and asked to be baptized in the nearby stream.  They halted, jumped out, and Philip baptized the man. 

Then…. the Spirit of God whisked Philip away to Azotus, where he preached the gospel to all the towns before coming to Caesarea. 

(We assume the eunuch went on his way, rejoicing, and, like the other converts leaving Jerusalem, preached the gospel in the courts of Candace in Ethiopia.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 320

Nov16

Day 320—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 320 – Acts 1 – 3 (Jesus last appearance, His ascension, Holy Spirit, preaching and converts, miracle healing)

Acts 1.

While Jesus was still on earth, He ordered His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for “the promise of the Father, the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

They asked Jesus WHEN He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus told them it wasn’t for them to know, only the Father.  FIRST, they were to be witnesses for Him throughout the whole earth, beginning in Jerusalem and spiraling out.  Then – before their very eyes – Jesus was lifted up to heaven, disappearing in a cloud.  They stared and stared until two angels called them back to reality.  “This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw Him go.”

When they returned to the city from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus had ascended, they all met together in the upper room. 120 were all of one accord and devoted themselves to prayer.  Peter, taking his position as leader, brought up the topic of Judas. Their first order of business after praying was to choose a disciple to replace him. When two men’s names were put before them – men who had been with Jesus from His baptism by John until His ascension – they prayed again and cast lots.  Matthias was chosen to join the eleven. (See Proverbs 16:33.)

(NOTE: This was the last time the Old Testament method of revealing God’s will was used. After the Holy Spirit came and indwelt them, it was not necessary.)

Acts 2.

Finally, the day of Pentecost arrived. (50 days after Passover, and a time to show God gratitude for the beginning of their harvest season*.)  And while the 120 men and women were together in the upper room….suddenly, from heaven, a SOUND like a mighty rushing wind was heard, filling the entire house.  Divided TONGUES AS OF FIRE appeared to them and rested on each one. THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Outside the house were crowds of Jews and Gentile converts who had come to Jerusalem for the Feasts.  At the sound of the wind and the speaking, they came together to investigate.  They each heard the 120 speaking the mighty works of God in the language of their own country. They were bewildered, amazed, and astonished.

“Are not these all Galileans?”

“How is it that we hear each of us in our own native language?” (16 languages are named)

“What does this mean?”

“They must be filled with new wine.”

But Peter, the bold, outspoken, sometimes foolish disciple, is now filled with the Holy Spirit and power from above. “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem…these people are NOT DRUNK, since it’s only 9:00 am. THIS is what the prophet JOEL said.”  (He quotes Joel 2:28-32, about how, in the last days, God’s Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, and they will speak, prophesy, and do signs and wonders. And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Then he preaches a powerful sermon about how the righteous Jesus was put to death by lawless men, but God raised Him up.  He quotes other scriptures as if he were a studied rabbi but solely empowered by the Spirit.  He tells them “we all are witnesses of the resurrection!”

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus, WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED.”

These Spirit-empowered words cut to the hearts of the multitude. “Brothers, what shall we do??”

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins!” And with many other words, Peter bore witness and continued to exhort them. And those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

And all these devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Day by day, they attended the temple together, broke bread in their homes, and praised God.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 3.

One day, on the way to the temple, Peter and John saw a beggar near the gate called the Beautiful Gate, asking for alms.  The two apostles fixed their eyes on him and said, “Look at us.”  The man looked at them, expecting some hand-outs.  But Peter said those words that have been made into a wonderful children’s song, “Silver and gold have I none. But such as I have, give I to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Peter took the man by the hand and pulled him up, and IMMEDIATELY, his feet and ankles were healed. And he went with them “walking and leaping and praising God” into the Temple.  And all who saw him were “filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

Taking advantage of the crowds, Peter again preaches a powerful sermon, denying they had any power to heal except what God gave them in Jesus’ name.

“The God of our fathers glorified His servant Jesus, WHOM YOU DENIED in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release Him. YOU DENIED THE HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS ONE and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and YOU KILLED THE AUTHOR OF LIFE, whom God raised from the dead.”

“REPENT THEREFORE and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”

And while they were speaking…… (Continued tomorrow.)