After the Gospel sweeps through Psidian Antioch, the town is left to side either with angry Jews or with persecuted but rejoicing Christians.
The Holy Spirit launches the first missionary journey for Paul and Barnabas from Antioch into Cyprus. The church now becomes proactive and deliberate about reaching the world for Jesus. Despite opposition from a gospel perverter, Paul through the Spirit brings the proconsul to faith. Additional Scriptures referenced: Matthew 8:12, Matthew 25:30, Isaiah 5:20, John 3:19-20, John 9:39, 1Thess 1:4-5, 1Thess 2:8, 1Thess 2:13
What about James? What about the prayers of the saints for James? Is God not sovereign over suffering? Indeed He is, but He is also a Sovereign who underwent suffering. Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering informs some insights for the midweek lesson at Hampton Roads Church. Acts 12:1-8, 1Corinthians 15:54-56, Galatians 3:27
The Church prays earnestly for James and Peter, but James is executed while Peter is miraculously released. How does one reconcile the difference? Why didn't the disciples believe their own prayers when Peter was released? Why do we pray? And what about James?
The Gospel —and by extension — the sovereignty of Yahweh encroaches here onto foreign soil in Antioch.
After the baptism of Cornelius, the Jewish Christians interrogate Peter for including "the nations" or the Gentiles in the New Covenant with Yahweh. This is a much bigger paradigm explosion than we can at first appreciate. This study looks at the first century Jewish worldview with a particular focus on the God and His Divine Council as well the Nations and their allotted "gods."
Scriptures considered on the Divine Council: Psalm 82:1-7, Psalm 89:5-7, Job 1:6, Job 2:1, Job 38:4-7, Genesis 1:26, John 10:33-36, Jeremiah 23:18
Scriptures considered on the Nations and their gods: Deuteronomy 32:8-9, Deuteronomy 4:19-20, 1Samuel 26:17-19, 2Kings 5:17, Daniel 10:12-14, Daniel 10:20-21, Daniel 12:1, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20,
Scriptures on the Spiritual Battle: Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 3:10, 2Corinthians 10:4-5, Ephesians 6:10-12
Cornelius is an impressive, pious man, but he needs to be converted. Conversion start with God, requires humility, proceeds via the Word, and ends with God.
