A WAY OF LIFE

by sharon
(usa)

Lessson 6

Life seemed harder back then. We think of all the technology of today and wonder how it was ever possible in those days to survive. Yet it was a simpler time too. Riding camels and donkeys or on foot, traveling long distances at a time. I can't imagine walking days in the desert to give a message to someone and hoping they would arrive on time; ie: Mary and Martha awaiting Jesus' arrival to save their brother.

It seemed that people had few rights as they lived and worked. Soldiers coming into their homes and dragging people off to prison because of preaching the gospel. Today we take it for granted without a second thought.

But I have to say that I would love to be able to walk behind the Lord and reach out and touch the hem of His garment and be healed, what faith she had. Just imagine!

Comments:

Good observations. We do live in a prosperous time in history in North America, although, people in about half of our current world are still arrested, tortured, and sometimes murdered for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Are their any other historical details that you see in Acts 8-10? List out as many as you can find as well as deductions - be a detective - you can make from them. For example, we know from Acts 8 that there were roads from Ethiopia to Israel -how else could you travel be chariot?

God bless,
Glenn Davis

Historical Details observed in Acts 8 - Part 6

Feed Yourself Part 6
Day Two:
Historical Details observed in Acts 8

* there was great persecution against the church in Jerusalem and therefore they scattered into the regions of Judea and Samaria
* Philip took the word to Samaria and impacted Simon who had been practicing the "magical arts"
* left Samaria and preached to the villages of the Samaritans too
* Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch on the road connecting Jerusalem to Gaza and baptized him
* Philip went from Azotus to Caesarea

Comments:

You have made good observations. You could go further through. For example, you saw that Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch on the road to Jerusalem. From that one fact you could discover that a] travel was possible between Ethiopia and Israel, b] the Jewish religion was known in Ethiopia, c] eunuchs held high positions in the Ethiopian government, etc. I encourage you to be a detective, observe what is in the story and see what you can learn that is not explicitly mentioned. Remembered the fish. You have made a good start, keep it up!

God bless,
Glenn Davis

Christianity in the first CenturyA.D

by Maria Maignan
(french Guiana)

Lesson 6

The Christians at this time had a hard time spreading the gospel. But through it all the gospel was preached in their home town.

Comments:

A good beginning. I suggest you read through Acts 8-10 again and answer these questions:
What cities did the Christians go to?
Did Christians baptize both men and women or men only?
How did people travel from one place to another?
Do you think at least some of the books of the Old Testament were available outside of Israel during this time of history?
What were some of the jobs that people had?
Look carefully, how much can you learn about life and culture at that time of history?

God Bless,
Glenn

THE EARLY CHRUCH LESSON SIX - ACTS 8-10

It was not easy in Acts. There was no freedom being a christian at that time because there was a lot of persecution.

The gospel was spread to Judea, Samaria, Caesera.

The Jews did not like the gospel. The Gentiles received the gospel well. The mode of transport that time was by foot or using chariot.

Even today there is still persecution of christians in the world. People have turned to witchcraft for riches. We need to be strong in our faith,and guided by the Holy Spirit to continue preaching the gospel and pray for others. Even preaching to those who persecute believers, so that their eyes also open to see Christ. We need to give to the needy. To take all people equally, God is no respecter of persons.


Acts 8

-Persecution of christians at Jerusalem led by Saul.

-Even when they scattered abroad continued preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-Philip preached at Samaria and the the people received the gospel with joy, the sick were healed, demons cast out.

-There was one Simon who amazed people with powers of sorcery and they thought he had powers from God.

The preaching of Philip made people there believe in God, including that Simon and they were baptized.

-Apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria, who laid hands on the people who believed to get the Holy Spirit.

-Simon offered them money so that he too could get the power to lay hands on people. Peter rebukes Simon for God's gift is free.

-Angel speaks to Philip to arise and go to Gaza, where he meets Ethiopian Eunuch reading the book of Isaiah, he explains the reading, preached and the Eunuch believed and was baptized.

Acts 9

-Saul gets letters from the High priest in Jerusalem for arresting believers of Christ in Damascus.

-On his way the light from heaven shone around him and he fell on the ground and heard a voice saying "Saul,Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul asked, "Who a you Lord?" "I am Jesus whom you persecute." Saul was told to arise and go to the city and be told what to do.

- Saul arises but could not see anything even when his eyes were open, he was led to Damascus spent three days and nights without food or drink.

-The Lord spoke to Ananias to go to Judas' house and put his hands on Saul to receive sight.

-Ananias fears to go to Saul because he used to persecute believers, but the Lord assures him to go because Saul is a chosen vessel to bear the name of the Lord before Gentiles.

-Ananias goes and lays hands on Saul to receive back his sight and the Holy spirit. He receives sight and was baptized.

-Saul preaches Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

-All who heard Saul preaching were astonished because he used to persecute the believers,confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus,proving that this one is the very Christ. Plot to kill Saul, the disciples help him escape by night.

-Saul comes to Jerusalem to join the disciples but the were afraid of him, but Barnabas declared to the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord and how he preached boldly in Damascus.

-Another plot to kill Saul, but the brethren send him to Caesarea and to Tarsus.

-The churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria gets a rest

- Peter tell Aeneas that Jesus Christ makes him whole arise and make your bed and he arose.

-A disciple in Joppa called Tabitha or Dorcas who used to make coats and garments dies, Peter was sent for who prayed for her and she opened her eyes.

-Many believed in Joppa because of this miracle

Acts 10

-Cornelius a centurion from Caesarea, a man who feared God with all his house and gave alms to the people and prayed to God always, saw a vision at the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming to him saying,'Cornelius your prayers and alms are come up for a memorial before God.'

-The angel tell Cornelius to send men to Joppa to one Simon whose surname is Peter who will tell him what he ought to do.

-As Peter was praying at the sixth hour, he fell a trance and a vessel descending unto him, a great sheet with four corners and let down to the earth on it had all manner of four footed beasts of the earth and wild beats, creeping things of the earth and fowls of the air. The voice tells him to arise kill and eat. He answered, "Not so Lord" for he has never eaten anything that is common or unclean. The voice spoke, "What God has cleaned call not common," it was done three times.

-As Peter was still wondering about the vision, the spirit tells him to get down and meet the men sent by Cornelius, not doubting the Lord had sent them.

-Peter goes with the men to Caserea to Cornelius' house. Cornelius has gathered his kinsmen and near friends to hear what Peter has to tell them.

-Peter tells Cornelius that its unlawful for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto another nation; but God showed that he should not call any man common or unclean.

-Cornerlius tells Peter how he was fasting and praying and at ninth hour, a man stood before him in bright clothing and said, "Cornelius your prayers and alms are come up for a memorial before God" and to send for Peter in Joppa.

-Peter said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. Every nation that fears him and works righteousness is accepted with him.

-Peter preaches the gospel as one of the witnesses of how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit went doing good, healing the sick, yet he was crucified. But God raised him on the third day and he showed him self to the chosen witness and Peter confirmed eating and drinking with Jesus.

-The Holy Spirit falls on them who heard the word and were baptized.

Comments:

Well done. You follow the events of these chapters very well. It was a time of persecution, just as it is in many countries today. Have you ever wondered why many Jews resisted the message? Or why the Gentiles seems to accept it? Lots of interesting questions can come up as we look at historical context.

God bless,
Glenn Davis