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Tag: Gospel

The Gospel is Good News to all who will humbly accept Jesus and listen to His teaching.

We refer to the four books of the Bible which tell the story of Jesus Christ as the Gospels. These books are named for their authors: Matthew, a Jewish Apostle; Mark, a disciple of the first generation who recorded accounts of Peter and the Twelve; Luke, a gentile Physician and disciple of the first century; and John, one of the Twelve Jewish Apostles chosen by Jesus.

Matthew 25 – Parable of the Ten Virgins
Awake, the voice is calling us!
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"Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (literally: Awake, the voice is calling us) is a Lutheran hymn written in German by Philipp Nicolai, first published in 1599 together with "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern". 

It appears in German hymnals and in several English hymnals in translations such as "Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying" (Catherine Winkworth, 1858), "Wake, O wake! with tidings thrilling" (Francis Crawford Burkitt, 1906), and "Up! Awake! From Highest Steeple" (George Ratcliffe Woodward, 1908). 

The hymn is known as the foundation of J.S. Bach's chorale cantata Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, as well as being the foundation of settings by other composers.

P. Nicolai wrote the hymn in 1598, a time when the plague had hit. - Source:  BachCantatas.com
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Wake up, the voice calls us
of the watchmen high up on the battlements,
wake up, you city of Jerusalem!
This hour is called midnight;
they call us with a clear voice:
where are you, wise virgins ?
Get up, the bridegroom comes;
Stand up, take your lamps! Hallelujah!
Alleluia!
Make yourselves ready
for the wedding,
you must go to meet him!

Zion hears the watchmen sing,
her heart leaps for joy,
she awakes and gets up in haste.
Her friend comes from heaven in his splendour,
strong in mercy, mighty in truth.
Her light becomes bright, her star rises.
Now come, you worthy crown,
Lord Jesus, God’s son!
Hosanna!
We all follow
to the hall of joy
and share in the Lord’s supper.

May gloria be sung to you
with the tongues of men and angels,
with harps and with cymbals.
The gates are made of twelve pearls,
in your city we are companions
of the angels on high around your throne.
No eye has ever perceived,
no ear has ever heard
such joy.
Therefore we are joyful,
hurray, hurray!
for ever in sweet rejoicing.

Advent 1

Advent, (from Latin adventus, “coming”), in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ.
- In Western churches, Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day) and is the beginning of the liturgical year.
- In many Eastern churches, the Nativity Fast is a similar period of penance and preparation that occurs during the 40 days before Christmas. The date when the season was first observed is uncertain.
- Bishop Perpetuus of Tours (461–490) established a fast before Christmas that began on November 11 (St. Martin’s Day), and the Council of Tours (567) mentioned an Advent season.
Source: Britanica.com

a woke OR AWAKE?

I’m uncertain in these last days of the Common Era (once commonly called Anno Domini, literally “in the year of our Lord“ IF our church is woke or awake.

(See link to ‘woke’ on TalkofJESUS.com cover page to learn more.)

I’m also not certain if Linus reading Luke is the anti-inclusive message of the Gospel which offends the Holiday spirits of TV audiences, but I suspect that our aversion to ‘christmas‘ with a capital CHRIST (Christ-mass) is a deepening darkness as evident as the coming winter solstice.

The title for this non-series for Advent ignored and ‘christian‘ ‘churches‘ CLOSED on christmas eve, christmas day or BOTH reflects my own nonplus question of why it seems so few christians really want to TALK OF JESUS at all, especially those of our local ‘church.’
Roger@TalkofJESUS.com

In previous years I have also prepared our hearts for Advent.

The Scandal of a Virgin

From Advent in the year of our Lord 2014

In fact, December in the year of our Lord 2022 seems to be a time to gather the oil for our lamps that at least some of the virgins might be prepared for Christmas .. in fact, prepared for more.

the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew

Doctrinally, it must be repeated that the belief in the Virgin birth of Christ is of the highest value for the right apprehension of Christ’s unique and sinless personality.
R. A. Torrey :: The Virgin Birth of Christ

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham..

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:

When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together,

she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Gospel of Matthew 1:18 – King James Version

Therefore, Sleepers AWAKE!

Parable of Ten Virgins

“Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.

“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

“Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout,

‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’

“Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

“But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

“And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast;

and the door was shut.

“And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’

“But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’

“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

A Caution of Jesus Christ to His betrothed, the Church

This hour is called midnight;
they call us with a clear voice:
where are you, wise virgins ?

Advent AD 2022: Are YOU awake?
A Savior IS come.
Christ died. Christ IS risen! Christ will come again.

Are YOU preparing your soul with the oil of Christ’s anointing in the advent of His return?
December 2, 2022
Through Many Afflictions Saul and Joseph return to Antioch
What afflictions, which tribulations will we suffer for our witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
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~AD 49 - a return journey

[Just a reminder that Paul is a more local name for Saul from Tarsus beyond the imposing Guyik and Taurus mountains and many brothers address Joseph of the island of Cypress by his encouraging nickname, Barnabas.]

  - from remote Derby through Lycaonia to Antioch through Pisidia & Pamphylia to Perga and sailing from Attalia (without returning to Cypress) to their home port in Syria to Antioch.
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Joseph of Cypress and Saul of Tarsus have endured many afflictions for the Gospel, even a stoning of Saul (as he had once witnessed of Stephen in Jerusalem).

Barnabas

You’ll recall that Joseph of Cypress, known to his friends as Βαρναβᾶς or son of encouragement is a very Jewish Levite.

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement)
Acts of the Apostles 4:36 LSB

Joseph had devoted his life to the Apostles’ teaching and gave them money from selling a field. This highly respected older man from Cypress had brought the feared young and zealous Pharisee Saul to the Apostles vouching for the authenticity of his conversion and teaching since encountering Christ.

Even then he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews, but they were attempting to put him to death.
- Acts of the Apostles 9:29
So the Church at Jerusalem, led by the Apostles, sent Saul off to the Church at Antioch, nearer to Tarsus as well as Cypress.

Barnabas continues mentoring a young Saul of Tarsus known to the Gentiles as Paul.

The Church at Antioch sends them out to Cypress along with Joseph’s nephew John Mark. From there these two apostles proceed to cities and small towns in the Taurus Mountains.
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As a reminder: 
Luke publishes ACTS OF THE APOSTLES in about AD 62 as a historical account for a growing Church.

This FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY of the Apostles PAUL & BARNABAS occurs over several months and many miles in about AD 47-49.
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Another Rising of Saul

Not too many men or women ever suffer the afflictions of Saul OR the miraculous raisings of a man who seems to have been struck down by God and men to persevere in more persecution for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
Acts of the Apostles 9:4-5 LSB

Acts 14 Pursued through Lycaonia

The Jews are divided by Paul’s Gospel of the Messiah Jesus

Acts of the Apostles 14:

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

20 But while the disciples stood around him, he rose up and entered the city.

The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 And after they had proclaimed the gospel to that city and had made many disciples..
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Dr. Luke once again accounts for not only the miracle of Paul's rising after being stoned to death and his battered frame dragged out of Lystra, but again that they 'had made many disciples' of the risen Lord Jesus in Derbe.
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Their Return Journey to Antioch Pisidia

[from Derbe] .. they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples..

The Apostles’ Parting Message:

.. encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying,
“Through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God.”

θλῖψις – Afflictions, Tribulations, Pressure & Persecution

So you want to enter the kingdom of God?

You hope for THE LIFE in a risen KING- the Son of God JESUS.

AND THIS IS the GOSPEL GOOD NEWS Paul proclaims?
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thlipsis STRONGS G2347:
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properly, a pressing, pressing together, pressure (Strabo, p. 52; Galen); in Biblical and ecclesiastical writings, a Greek metaphor, oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits;

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Gospel of Matthew 24:9 KJV – a prophesy of Jesus to his disciples

Paul and Barnabas have already seen much tribulation. But now others – Jewish converts, Hellenists, even Roman believers among so many saints of these growing churches will also suffer afflictions as disciples of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Paul comes with more than a change of heart and soul – these Christians will see afflictions and tribulations — troubles never before encountered when they did not claim the risen Christ Jesus as their Lord.

The SOULS of the disciples of these NEW CHURCHES will need much STRENGTHING from leaders ENCOURAGING them to CONTINUE in THE FAITH.

Paul and Barnabas will continue that work which they begun by returning to these new disciples on their return journey to the Church at Antioch from which they were sent out by the Holy Spirit and church.

A foundational ministry in the mountains
- they had proclaimed the gospel [in Derby] and had made many disciples,
- they returned
  - to Lystra
  - and to Iconium
  - and to Antioch
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas 14:23

And when they passed through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia. – ACTS 14:24

And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

Acts of the Apostles 14 – Paul & Barnabas’ return from first missionary journey

And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.

Home in Antioch (Syria)

And when they had arrived and gathered the church together,

they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

And they spent not a little time with the disciples.
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This first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas has taken about two years. The apostles (ones sent out) of the Gospel have much to share with the disciples (followers) of the risen Christ Jesus. 

NEXT: In Acts of the Apostles 15 Luke will record some differences in worship yet to be worked out between Christians in Antioch and disciples of Christ in Judea and other parts of Syria.
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To be continued…
November 29, 2022
The gods have become like men
Idolatry – Men create their gods

Imagine an EMPIRE – like the powerful GREECE of Alexander the Great.

This map shows the vast empire conquered by Alexander the Great in red highlight. The extent of the empire is an approximation of 320 BC.
- The number of Greek gods may be more than 3000, with 1-4 dozen main gods including Zeus and other ‘family.’
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For a humorous look at the idol gods:
- visit this source about the god Hermes [pictured in NYC for this post] from godchecker.com 

Greek Mythology is a veritable blockbusting soap opera. What can Zeus possibly get up to next — and with whom? How will Hera take her next revenge? Where will Aphrodite discard her nightie? Who has been barred from Olympus lately — and why? When is the next big punch-up? And will Hermes be sued for selling counterfeit sheep? 
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Imagine an EMPIRE – like the powerful ROME of the Caesars.

Rome continually changed names of regions and borders they administered so some would have changed by AD 48 when Paul and Barnabas journeyed through the cities of the Taurus Mountains and yet again by the time Luke published Acts of the Apostles ~AD 62.
- The multitudes of Roman gods include Jupiter as head of a dozen deities similar to several gods and goddesses of Greek mythology plus ancient gods and goddesses of captive cultures inclusively embraced in exchange for a Pax Roma.
Julius Caesar was the first Roman leader to be called “god” and “savior,” which became dominant phrases in Roman Imperial theology.

The idea behind these lofty titles was that while the Roman Republic collapsed in the first century BC, Julius Caesar but mostly his son Caesar Augustus resurrected Rome from the dead.
Καισαρ Source for more interesting background – ABARIM Publications

Imagine a 21st century EMPIRE – like THE UNITED STATES or others.

Let Us Beat Swords Into Ploughshares is a bronze sculpture by artist Evgeniy Vuchetich (1908 ¬– 1974). Vuchetich was an esteemed Soviet sculptor and artist well-known for his heroic monuments.

It stands outside the U.N. Building in New York City, United States of America as another empire wield their swords once more to destroy the plowshares of their enemies. – RH

Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

– Joel 3:10-11 KJV

Micah 4:2 וְֽהָלְכוּ גּוֹיִם רַבִּים וְאָֽמְרוּ לְכוּ וְנַעֲלֶה אֶל־הַר־יְהוָה וְאֶל־בֵּית אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב וְיוֹרֵנוּ מִדְּרָכָיו וְנֵלְכָה בְּאֹֽרְחֹתָיו כִּי מִצִּיּוֹן תֵּצֵא תוֹרָה וּדְבַר־יְהוָה מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃

And he [the LORD] shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. – Micah 4:3 KJV

Idolatry – Quick U-turns by Men claiming gods

So you say that idolatry such as that Paul and Barnabas encountered in Lystra over two millennia ago no longer exists.
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Look a bit closer, you who have thus far survived 21st century multitudes of celebrity leader gods and goddesses who wield the swords of godless tongues and imagery of gods against the crowds they would overcome.
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~48 AD

The Lame Walk a Sign from God

Previously in Acts 14:8-10, a miracle of God in Lystra through Paul and Barnabas.

Acts of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas continued

“The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and was wanting to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

The Statue of Zeus 41 feet tall made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, Temple of Zeus, the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying,

“Men, why are you doing these things?

We are also men of the same nature as you, proclaiming the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM who in the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;

and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

WHAT has just happened?

Two Jewish travelers walk into a Lycaonian town in the mountains of Greece where most men are probably not educated philosophers, priests or Roman officials who know something of the Hebrews and their religion which holds to only ONE GOD, an inconceivable concept to pagans led to worship stone idols in grand temples built long ago in their town.

BUT, these two men perform a miracle which most certainly must be a sign from a MOST Powerful God of Heaven — to them, ZEUS.

Is this ZEUS IN PERSON?

IS THIS MAN in our midst a savior to be worshiped? (For he has done the impossible and we witnessed it.) We’ll go get this god’s priest from his temple at the gate of our city Lystra AND prepare a great sacrifice in honor of these two gods with us, Zeus and Hermes.

THEN these two strangers tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude and gods don’t stoop down to such things even IF they have come among us to have a mortal man stand.

SO these men who tricked us into thinking they were the gods Zeus and Hermes have told us to turn from OUR gods to their GOD.

And saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
Acts of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Lystra 14:18
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To be continued...
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November 18, 2022