Tag: herod

  • What happened to Peter?

    What happened to Peter?

    Jerusalem must have been all abuzz with the questions of yet another unfolding mystery involving the Apostles. What happened to this Apostle of Jesus?

    What happened to Simon Peter?

    How did this leading Disciple of Jesus escape? Peter could not possibly have come to our gate since Herod has him under the guard of sixteen men?

    As we witnessed previously in a scene from Acts of the Apostles 12:13-14 in His Angel at the Gate:

    A servant-girl named Rhoda.. ran in and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.

    Impossible, would be their first thought.

    “You are out of your mind!”

    But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door, they saw him and were astounded.

    Acts of the Apostles 12:16 LSB

    What happened to Jesus’ mission?

    photo of earth from the moon

    It is the year of our Lord [A.D.] 44.

    It has been fourteen years since the Holy Spirit first anointed the saints in Jerusalem to Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel.

    Peter is not going to remain in Jerusalem.

    Peter commands a continued mission

    .. they saw him and were astounded.

    ἐξίστημι amazed – out of their wits (in the wonder of seeing Peter)

    Luke once again on this day uses this same description as Pentecost when the Church sees Peter alive and in person, even though they had fully expected Herod to execute the Apostle as he had James.

    Peter preaching from a balcony in Jerusalem on pentecost

    So they were astounded and marveling, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? .. And they all continued in astonishment and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

    Acts of the Apostles 2:7,12 – Pentecost [~A.D.30] when Peter proclaimed Christ crucified and risen from death.

    Astonishing that a girl is raised from the dead by Peter in Joppa! Amazing that the Holy Spirit had also filled Samaritans and Roman soldiers in Caesarea as Peter and other disciples of Jesus had reported to the Church in Jerusalem.

    And all the circumcised believers who came with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

    Acts of the Apostles 10:45 LSB

    Today amazingly, Peter has a command for the Church as the Apostle will address them once more in Jerusalem:

    But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he recounted to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison.

    Meanwhile, back at Herod’s palace..

    Herod Agrippa I had seized Peter during the time of the Passover when great crowds always gathered in Jerusalem as they had years before when the Jews crucified Jesus on a Roman cross.

    The king’s recent execution of James had so pleased the Jews that now Herod would kill Peter. (It would be great political theatre for this friend of Rome now gaining some cooperation from the religious parties of Jerusalem.) Herod had a high-security guard of sixteen men watch over Peter during every watch of the night. BUT..

    Acts 12:18

    Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

    A report of amazement from these sixteen elite guards, two who were chained to Peter while two others were on guard at the Herod’s prison door.

    And when Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards..

    Remember back fourteen years ago, before Herod manipulated his way back into power?

    Luke 23:

    8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he rejoiced greatly; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Jesus in many words, but He answered him nothing..

    11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a bright robe and sent Him back to Pilate. Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

    Leaving Jerusalem

    King Herod Agrippa I

    Acts 12:19

    .. he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.

    Judaea of Agrippa II before Rome destroys Jerusalem

    Caesarea Palaestinae has been the capitol of Roman Judaea since AD 6 & is the residence of Herod Agrippa (and soon Agrippa II),

    not Hierosolyma (as the Roman’s call Jerusalem).

    And on an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel and sitting on the judgment seat, began delivering an address to them [an audience of representatives from Tyre and Sidon]. And the assembly kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”

    And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

     Marcus Julius Agrippa I - b. 10 B.C. d. A.D. 44

    P.S. Soon, Manaen, who had grown up with Marcus Agrippa in the court of Tiberius Caesar Augustus, will join the Apostle Paul and many disciples of the Way in Antioch, from where they will lead the Church on missions into the all the world, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    The Apostle Simon Peter

    .. he recounted to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said,

    “Report these things to James and the brothers.”

    Then he left and went to another place.

    Of course the James to whom Peter refers is NOT the first martyred Apostle James, but the biological half-brother of Jesus who is now a disciple of the Way after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.

    Even though Saul no longer persecutes the Church, King Herod and the Jews of Jerusalem still pursue the Apostles.

    We will not see Peter for some time until after A.D. 44

    Simon Peter Capernaum Joppa Jerusalem Antioch more acts of Peter

    Peter certainly could have returned to Capernaum to be with his wife and family. But the Apostle will return to Jerusalem at times as we will see later in Acts of the Apostles.

    And when Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution.

    But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.

    Acts of the Apostles 12:24, after Peter escaped from Jerusalem
    in ~AD 44 after proclaiming the Gospel of the risen Christ Jesus for fourteen years.

    25 And Barnabas and Saul [Paul] returned to Jerusalem, fulfilling their ministry, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.

    Then what happened to Peter?

    For Your Information (Peter’s witness and leadership continues after this astounding event in Jerusalem):

    All dates approximate. Source for most is Rose Guide to the Book of Acts.
    • AD 44-48 – The predicted famine [Acts 11] during the reign of Claudius takes place; Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus will bring a collection from the churches to Jerusalem for distribution.
    • AD 49 – A council of Church leaders, including Peter, meet in Jerusalem [Acts 15].
      • This, of course, is five years after Peter has left Jerusalem after being freed by an angel.
    • AD 49 – Luke, who has recorded Peter’s Gospel and the acts of the Apostles (so far) departs Jerusalem with Paul on his second missionary journey.
    • AD 50 – John Mark, who had accompanied Paul for part of his first missionary journey, writes his Gospel.
    • AD 64-65 [twenty years after Peter escapes Herod]- Peter writes two letters to the Church
    • Sometime after a Jewish revolt in AD 66, Nero will execute Peter and many others in Rome.

    what happened to Peter
    Jesus said to them, ” “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. – Gospel of Mark 16:15
    ACTS of the Apostles will continue on mission, God-willing, for your comments and witness of the 21st c. Church. - RH
    
  • His Angel at the gate

    His Angel at the gate

    A messenger after an angel

    Today we’ll move around between scenes and times hoping for a glance at an angel.

    (Have you ever seen one?)

    Acts of the Apostles 12:

    So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

    Acts of the Apostles 12:5 ESV
    Peter preaching in candle-lit upper room in Jerusalem

    ~ A.D. 42

    Scene: Likely the same upper room where Peter and the Apostles have proclaimed the Gospel to the Church with great power. It is above a palatial home of Mary mother of Mark, who will record his Gospel during these next several years.

    Like James, this time the Apostle has been seized in Jerusalem and led to prison.

    Here in Mary’s house, the church prays continually for their pastor Peter, who Herod will soon execute to please the Jews.

    A servant girl, Ῥόδη [Rhoda] comes up to them as claimed she saw Peter.

    ..and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”

    Acts 12:15c ESV

    These believers in the resurrected Christ seem pretty insistent that Peter wasn’t knocking at Mary’s gate as her servant girl insisted, but that Rhoda just saw an angel at the gate.

    Just what is it that this flock of Peter’s believes about angels?

    ἄγγελοςangelos

     KJV Translation Count — Total: 186x
    • a messenger,
    • envoy,
    • one who is sent,
    • an angel,
    • a messenger from God

    ..in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.

    15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.”

    But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”

    Perhaps some in the room had witnessed the risen Christ! (Jesus, though, IS more than just an angel). He demonstrated both spirit-like and human traits during those forty days after the resurrection a dozen years ago.

    Perhaps Peter has sent a messenger from Herod’s prison, even a messenger sent from God.

    Philip the Evangelist or Cornelius the Centurion

    Luke does not account for who is present among those praying for Peter. Maybe John is mourning in a family home for his slain brother James. But Philip might be present, traveling from Caesarea even as Agrippa frequently does. Or maybe Cornelius, now a Roman brother in the Lord and follower of Peter, could have been there (or some of his family).

    These men and others had seen angels and delivered the Lord’s message.

    But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying,
    “Get ready and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.)
    Acts of Philip, disciple of the Apostles, 8:26 NASB20

    A.D. 2022

    Scene: In a neighborhood near my own home

    I saw an angel. I understood her message, a graceful and timely gesture sent to me.

    Want to know more?
    Comment on this post about angels, especially sharing any contemporary experience of your own, and I will privately share the rest of my brief recent encounter - RH
    
    Having experienced the mysterious and powerful work of the Holy Spirit personally on a Good Friday more than twenty years ago (even as many witnessed its mysteries on that first Pentecost more than a decade prior to our account from Acts of the Apostles 12), I do not marvel that those praying for Peter suggested that Rhonda, servant of the household of John Mark, had seen angel.

    Peter’s witness of Angels

    It happens here in Acts 12, that this servant girl had not seen an angel at their gate.

    13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 

    Peter, however, has seen an angel – even as Luke records in Acts of the Apostles that he has before.

    “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

    Were some of those won to Christ by Peter’s preaching and powerful signs in the Temple (even before the stoning of Stephen) now present in this upper room where a servant girl has announced that Peter is at the gate?

    Also, of course, there was the Voice Peter heard from the housetop when the angel of the Lord brought Cornelius to him:  “Rise up, Peter, slaughter and eat!” .. “What God has cleansed, no longer consider defiled.”

    So Peter was kept in prison..

    It’s ten years beyond A.D. 30, when Jesus appeared to the Apostles and an angel released Peter from prison to preach in the Temple. And it’s a few months beyond A.D. 40, when an angel of the Lord appeared separately to Peter and Cornelius.

    Scene:

    A.D. 42 – a high-security prison of King Herod in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover

    Agrippa’s timing is not unlike that of twelve years earlier, when Jerusalem’s former Prefect, Pontius Pilate, had crucified the Lord Jesus.

    But now is the night before Herod Agrippa is about to make an example of Peter in front of the Passover crowds of Jerusalem, just as he had pleased the Jews so much (remember: *Herod really isn’t a Jew) by killing James with the sword of an executioner.

    *source: Herod the Great's father was half Edomite. Agrippa grew up around Rome. 
    
    For more READ: Herod Vexing Opposition of the Church from our introduction to ACTS 12
    

    Acts 12:

    τετράδιον – When he [Herod] had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four [sixteen men] squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.

    [During every watch of the night..]

    Peter was sleeping..

    • between two soldiers,
    • bound with two chains,
    • and [two] guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.

    No one is going to escape these Roman guards of Herod’s standing watch over Peter all night.

    And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared

    and a light shone in the cell;

    and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying,

    “Rise up quickly.”

    And his chains fell off his hands.

    And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and [bind] your sandals.” And he did so.

    And he said to him, “[Bind] your [cloak] around yourself and follow me.”

    [So Peter] went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but was thinking he was seeing a vision.

    Acts 12:9 of an angel leading Peter from prison

    When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now truly I know that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”

    FREE from prison & certain death

    Peter, standing in the early morning hours alone in the streets of Jerusalem.

    And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer…


    ACTS of the Apostles – To be continued…

  • Herod Vexing Opposition of the Church

    Herod Vexing Opposition of the Church

    Acts 12: of Herod vs Jesus’ Apostles

    Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

    Acts of the Apostles 12:1 King James Version
    A contest is about to begin between: King Herod Agrippa verses the Apostles of Jesus.
    Today we'll read the King James Version of the Bible for our look at Acts 12. Like me you'll probably have to look up some of these 'kingly' 17th c. 'Olde English'  words like "vex."

    And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

    Last time we pointed out that James (in English) is rooted in the Hebrew name Jacob.

    Score one for Agrippa (ten to go)

    And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.

    (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

    Acts 12:3-4 of Herod Agrippa – King James Version

    πάσχαpascha

    King James of the 17th century translates the Pascal Feast as Easter. Jews of the first century church celebrate the same Passover Feast before which the Messiah Jesus had been hurriedly convicted as “KING OF THE JEWS” then hung on a Cross as our Pascal Lamb of Sacrifice for sin.

    Lexicon :: Strong’s G3957 – pascha

    Source: BlueLetterBible.org

    1. the paschal sacrifice (which was accustomed to be offered for the people’s deliverance of old from Egypt)
    2. the paschal lamb, i.e. the lamb the Israelites were accustomed to slay and eat on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan (the first month of their year) in memory of the day on which their fathers, preparing to depart from Egypt, were bidden by God to slay and eat a lamb, and to sprinkle their door posts with its blood, that the destroying angel, seeing the blood, might pass over their dwellings; Christ crucified is likened to the slain paschal lamb
    3. the paschal supper
    4. the paschal feast, the feast of the Passover, extending from the 14th to the 20th day of the month Nisan

    If you think of the Easter Jesus rose from death as ~A.D. 30, then this Pascal Feast takes place in ~A.D. 44, some fourteen years later.


    the Herod’s Vex their Opponents

    ‘Who will be king of the Jews’ becomes a question of self-preservation and obsession of most of the Herod’s who consequently eliminated other heirs and vexed ANY potentially popular opponents such as John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth.

    κακῶσαί – to vex

    Lexicon :: Strong’s G2559 – kakoō

    • to oppress, afflict, harm, maltreat
    • to embitter, render evil affected

    Jerusalem’s religious leaders had harassed these little Christs by stoning Stephen [A.D. 32] and sending their most zealous Pharisee Saul of Tarsus after them for nearly five years. But then on his way to Damascus, Saul miraculously became a Christian and disappears in Arabia [in AD 37] just as Agrippa comes to power in Jerusalem.

    So now Jerusalem’s political king begins with Jesus’ inner circle of Apostles.

    Peter, James, John and the other Apostles have challenged authority of the Herod’s ever since their bold appearance in the Temple during Pentecost more than a decade ago [A.D 30].

    Ἡρῴδης

    A Hero Conquers (and changes the maps)

    As you know, the Herod’s are not a particularly nice family. Agrippa’s grandfather, King Herod the Great, tried to kill Jesus as soon as Israel’s Messiah was born. Agrippa is not quite so powerful, but his grandpa had built many of Judah’s great buildings (with Roman taxes and adept political action of Herod intermingling with Rome’s unpredictable leaders).

    King Agrippa’s grandfather also had five wives! Herod’s wives had ten sons in the line of kingly succession. So everyone’s question: Which one will become king?

    What you may not understand about the ‘maps’ of your Bible is this:

    Several subtle shifts in the political winds of Rome blurred boundaries of the landscape of what was once Israel and corrupted Jerusalem’s Jewish rulers who have been under Rome’s control during this half century since the death of Herod the Great in 4 B.C. until now [A.D. 44].

    The Jerusalem of Agrippa is looking back at Herod the Great’s glory days and the Jews want to make Jerusalem great again.

    Herod the Great family tree

    Herod had Agrippa’s mother Mariamne killed.

    Herod charged his sons Alexander and Aristobulus (Agrippa’s father) with treason and received Caesar Augustus’ permission to execute them.

    Antipater II (his son not listed here) was executed just days before Herod died. 

    Judea had been annexed to Rome in AD 6. No Herod’s had any authority in Jerusalem until AD 37 when Agrippa I became a king cooperating with his Roman Prefect.

    Antipas, ruler of Galilee who had beheaded John the Baptist (and questioned Jesus at his trial even though he was NOT a king of the Jews or had any authority in Judea) was now dead, as was Herod Philip. King Agrippa prevails.

    Source for a great read about the Herod's - Who was Herod? by Jayson Bradley - Overview Bible .com

    Herod the Great (whose father Antipater was a son of Esau, not a son of Jacob {Israel}) chose his successor son with the same cunning and ruthlessness by which he ruled as king.

    written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Jesus king of the Jews
    In AD 44, Herod Agrippa is the ONLY King of the Jews remaining in the line of his grandfather, Herod the Great.

    BUT, Jerusalem is still all abuzz with the boldness of these Apostles of Jesus.

    For a king whose power is waning..

    .. every month is an election year.

    The killing of James:

    And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also…

    Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

    Acts of the Apostles 12:5 King James Version

    Next? The Apostle Peter

    And when Herod [Agrippa I] would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

    Do you recall the much earlier embarrassment of the Temple's religious officials questioning Peter and John?
    Acts 4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day.. 
    
    .. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. - Acts of the Apostles 4:21

    Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church…

    Agrippa makes certain that this leading Apostle of Jesus will not elude his Roman authority to execute any who cause them trouble. There will be no turning Peter loose to his crowds of disciples while Herod sits on the throne of Jerusalem.

    BUT, a messenger of One with more authority than a mere king comes to Christ’s Apostle.

    Acts 12:7

    And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly.

    And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals.

    And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

    And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

    When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord:

    and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.


    Peter's Escape from Herod:  +To be continued
    
  • James – a Greater Thunder and a lesser king

    James – a Greater Thunder and a lesser king

    We know this about Jesus’ Apostles: twelve followed the Lord Jesus for three years .. everywhere. One of the twelve betrayed Him, but three Apostles were closer to Jesus than any man or woman born of this world

    Peter, James the Greater, and John

    – an inner circle of the Twelve.

    You probably already know this about James and John:

    and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”)

    Gospel of Mark 3:17 Legacy Standard Bible

    Thunder, Wild Horses & Swords

    We know little about James the Greater, the older son of Zebedee, but as one of three leaders appointed by the Lord Christ Jesus, Herod will soon set his sights on all three of these Apostles.

    • Peter led the Apostles and the Church after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
    • John was the youngest Apostle and the younger brother of James; perhaps by a year, five years or maybe more; but John outlived them all until about A.D. 100.
    • James and John had also both been disciples of John the Baptist before Christ took them in as part of His inner circle.

    Now about that time Herod the king [Agrippa I] laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them.

    Acts 12:1 :: Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

    Today we look back at a context of Acts 12 with an old connection to John the Baptist and Herod.

    The Gospels, of course, proclaim the Good News that is to come out of all this conflict.

    Ἡρῴδης – Herod – ‘a hero’

    • †Ἡρώδης Hērṓdēs, hay-ro’-dace; compound of ἥρως hḗrōs (a “hero”) and G1491; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings:—Herod. – source: Lexicon :: Strong’s G2264 – hērōdēs

    Let’s bring to mind some recent history etched in the minds of the Jews and the Herod’s; an awareness of John the Baptist and his disciples James and John, a relevance of national significance I will contemporize from this first century context.

    Ἀγρίππας – [Herod] Agrippas“Hero like”

    • Apparently from ἄγριος (G66)
      • of men and animals in a moral sense, wild savage, fierce
    • and ἵππος (G2462); a horse

    To the Jews, Herod Agrippa is a ‘hero-like wild horse’, wielding a Jewish king’s sword against Rome (but also his enemies) with a desperate hope of restoring the glory of David’s kingdom a thousand years before, as his grandfather (Herod the Great) had begun to rebuild.

    a 21st c. look at James the Greater

    Never forget that ALL Twelve of Jesus' Apostles (a Greek word of the common language of the Roman Empire) were Jews. Even in Galilee and Samaria Jews looked for a Messiah and hoped for a return of their kingdom. 
    
    Faithful worshipers of the LORD knew Scripture in an anticipatory sense. Jews chosen by the One God in every captive Roman outpost of the A.D. first century looked longingly for their Messiah (Christ, in Greek) who will finally establish the Kingdom of the Lord in all the heavens and earth.
    

    ANY man who might stand against ANY king Herod (who is NOT the Messiah) or Caesar (who faithful Jews would not call, Lord) is a threat to the Roman Peace attained by Judea’s first family.

    Once again we will look at events preceding ACTS 12 as if it is today's date, in the year of our Lord, A.D. 2022. 
    [All first century dates are approximate from various sources.]- RH
    • 2022Beginning of Acts 12
      • AD 44
    • 2018 – Peter shares the Gospel with gentiles in Caesarea (James & John presumably would have continued to lead the church in Jerusalem during Peter’s mission trip.)
      • AD 40
    • 2017 – Herod Antipas of Galilee, who had John the Baptist beheaded about ten years earlier, died.
      • AD 39
    • 2015 – Saul of Tarsus comes to the Apostles after his conversion.
      • AD 37
    • 2010 – Stephen, a leading disciple of The Way, sentenced by the Sanhedrin to death by stoning, after which Herod and the Jews authorize relentless persecution of disciples of Jesus’ Apostles.
      • AD 33

    14 Years ago + An Eventful Year.

    A.D. 30 would have been fourteen years ago and might linger in the collective memory of the church like these contemporary memories:
    Actual Events of 2007: iPhone announced;  Mitt Romney, Rudi Giuliani, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and many others are running for President of the U.S.; 
    or Actual Events of 2008: President Bush signs the $700 billion bailout / Rescue package bill; Fidel Castro steps down as president of Cuba; Iraq war costs $3 trillion.
    • 2008 + Jesus Christ interrogated by the Sanhedrin and scourged by Romans, crucified on a Cross, raised from death, left a sealed tomb and appeared to the Apostles and hundreds of other disciples!
      • The risen Lord Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit to believers on Pentecost.
      • Peter and disciples of Jesus proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple and
      • Accompanying signs and miracles sent by the Lord confirmed their teaching.
      • Therefore many Jews follow the Apostles’ teachings and believe in Jesus as the Messiah of God.
      • ALL this in ~AD 30!

    James the Greater, of course, was in town [Jerusalem] to witness all of this recent history along with the other Apostles.

    During JESUS’ earthly ministry:

    ~AD 2006-2008 in our contemporized scenario:
    • 2006 – A great new prophet John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River. Then Jesus calls Twelve Apostles to “follow Him.” James and John, already disciples of John the Baptist, follow Jesus.
      • AD 28 {3 years before Jesus was crucified}

    Luke 9:

    And calling the twelve together, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. .. And departing, they were going from village to village, proclaiming the gospel and healing everywhere.

    Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead..

    And Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded, but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.

    Gospel of Luke 9:9 LSB – Herod inquiring about miracles of the Messiah Jesus and his Apostles

    JESUS was confrontational in the mind of Herod, just as John had been before the king had the Baptist beheaded.

    James the Great vs. an unbelieving Samaritan village

    [Some disciples of Jesus] ..entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him..

    And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them..

    Gospel of Luke 9:54-55a LSB

    Why would James the Greater believe that he could command such judgment on an entire village?

    Because Peter, James and John had witnessed that Jesus IS God in flesh and blood!

    James the Greater, like Peter or like King Herod for that matter, is the kind of imposing man who wants to take charge.

    Gospel of the Apostle Matthew 20:

    Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.”

    Mark records in his Gospel:
    Then James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” - Mark 10:35

    But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”

    Matthew 20:22-23 LSB – Jesus’ answer to the sons of thunder..
    Remember our Lord’s assurance to James the Greater and to John: “My cup you shall drink..”

    James the Greater – a closeness to Jesus

    Peter and James and John all held close their friendship of Jesus, their Lord and Master Teacher, during those three years of Christ’s earthly incarnation.

    The Gospel of Luke 9:

    Now it happened.. that taking along Peter and John and James, He went up on the mountain to pray.

    Mark adds some detail in his Gospel: *brought them up on a high mountain alone by themselves. 

    And it happened that while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and [flashing like lightning].

    James, John and Simon Peter were the only mortal men on that mountain with the Lord.
    But then:

    And behold, two men were talking with Him, and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in [splendor], were speaking of His [exodus] which He was about to fulfill at Jerusalem.

    Note here a similar failing of the flesh of Jesus' three closest friends, their inattention to the prayers of this Son of Man even as they would later fall asleep in Gethsemane. After the Lord's death and resurrection the three Apostles would confess their mortal limitations on both occasions.

    Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.

    Gospel of Luke 9:32 LSB
    Jesus, with a face like lightning! The Prophet Elijah and Moses the LORD's shepherd of the Hebrews during their forty year exodus from slavery in Egypt appear with Jesus! 
    All witnessed by Peter, John and James.
    
    As if that wasn't enough GOOD NEWS on the mountaintop, similar to the sign at Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, the LORD speaks!

    ..  a cloud [occurred] and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

    Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

    Gospel of Luke 9:34b-35 LSB
    James the Greater, along with his brother and Simon, kept silent about this in those days, Luke records later. 

    Fulfillment of Fourteen Years in Jerusalem

    In the minds of the Jews (including Herod) James was a likely successor to Jesus.

    Ἰάκωβος – James

    Did you know that James is a common name in Israel? i.e. James the Great AND James the Less are both Apostles

    It’s the same as Ἰακώβ, which even in Greek looks like the name of its Hebrew root:: יַעֲקֹב

    Jacob, who the LORD renamed, Israel.

    Along with Simon Peter (when he was not on a journey of his own) and his brother John, James the Greater proclaimed the Gospel of the risen Christ Jesus in Jerusalem.

    James proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple courtyards and streets of Jerusalem and led the daily lives of so many new followers of The Way. He worked in the leadership of the Twelve, which now included Mathias in place of Judas Iscariot.

    “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

    Luke 9:54b – [likely the words of James the Greater]

    And this Greater Apostle of the inner circle of the Messiah of Israel would have recalled the rebuke of the Lord in a newfound daily humility in serving his risen Lord, the Christ Jesus.

    But He turned and rebuked them, and said,

    “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of,

    for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

    And they went on to another village.


    .. whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;

    for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”

    Gospel of Luke 9:48b – invitation of Jesus Christ & humility in following Him

    Acts of the Apostles 12:

    Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them.

    And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.

    Acts of the Apostles 12:2 LSB – Herod Agrippa I executes James the Greater

    To be continued…

  • Caesar’s Palace East welcomes PETRUS

    Caesar’s Palace East welcomes PETRUS

    Caesar's Palace 21st c Las Vegas, Nevada, US
    Caesar’s Palace

    Peter in Roman Sin City

    A background behind Caesar’s Palace in Judea

    Initially, a few decades before..

    Caesarea is sixty some miles northwest of Jerusalem. Herod had expanded it to become one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire, which would later serve Rome as Judea’s capital. (Yes, it would later have a grande Caesar’s Palace intended for the Herodian rulers of Judea.)

    Herod the Great had sold his political soul to an alliance with the great Caesar Augustus (title first claimed by Herod’s ally, Octavian). But Herod’s alliance accomplished only a brief stay of execution of Roman dominance over Judea, even as he began many magnificent building projects. These included an incomplete Temple in Jerusalem where Jesus would preach and an opulent port of Caesarea Maritima (one of several Caesar’s Palaces of these times).

    Romans, Egyptians and the Greeks before them under the dominance of Alexander’s world empire worshiped MANY gods. Jerusalem’s differing parties of Jews argued constantly over such forced relationships with their pagan overseers. A Caesar or Cleopatra as one of these gods was common occurrence in the A.D. first century world where Jews mostly traded liberally with other cultures.

    Caesar’s, Ptolemy’s & Herod’s

    You probably know about the whoredom of Cleopatra (glamorized by Hollywood) from when the Queen of Egypt willingly made her bed with the power of Rome in order to hold onto her kingdom. (It’s a complex plot of military/political/religious drama of real life at its best.)

    In fact, Jews recognized that the ruling party of the Herod’s was no less in bed with Rome than had been Cleopatra.

    She had commanded a personal fleet of 60 ships and sent 200 ships to Antony at Actium [33 B.C.]. This Egyptian Pharaoh also appointed her own governors of conquered regions like Syria and Cypress.

    Cleopatra had incited a war against Herod. Octavian later takes power as Caesar Augustus. [See more linked to the quote below.]

    Herod, who had personally advised Antony after the Battle of Actium that he should betray Cleopatra, traveled to Rhodes to meet Octavian and resign his kingship out of loyalty to Antony. Octavian was impressed by his speech and sense of loyalty, so he allowed him to maintain his position in Judea, further isolating Antony and Cleopatra.

    Wikipedia.org – citing additional sources

    Herod’s new harbor of Caesarea was forty acres and could accommodate 300 ships. According to the historian Josephus, he built a “most magnificent palace” on a promontory jutting out into the waters of Caesarea and lengthy aqueduct to bring water from springs at the base of Mount Carmel nearly ten miles away.

    Read more & see additional photos: https://www.bibleplaces.com/caesarea/

    Enter Peter encountering Rome in Caesarea

    In ~ the year of our Lord, 40

    Your additions or corrections to this approximate scenario of A.D. 40'ish from various sources are welcome as a COMMENT to this post. - RH
    • Joseph ben Caiaphas, who had condemned the Messiah JESUS to a Cross and unsuccessfully tried Peter and John remains powerful in Jerusalem.
    • Pontius Pilate had been recalled from office as governor by Tiberius Caesar three years earlier after Pilate had ordered great violence to suppress a Samaritan rebelion.
    • Tiberius Caesar Augustus died that same year and was succeeded by his son Caligula, who declared himself a god.
    • Caligula ordered a statue of himself is to be erected in the temple at Jerusalem, but Herod delays implementation long enough to prevent widespread revolt in Judaea and prior to Caligula’s assassination by men of a succeeding Emperor, Claudius.
    • Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great & Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, whose wife Herodias had incited him to behead John the Baptist, has also died just a year earlier.

    • AND NOW, The Lord has summoned Simon Peter to accompany three Roman men sent from Caesarea by a Roman military leader to find Peter in Joppa.

    ACTS 10: of PETER in Caesarea

    CLICK ACTS 10 [above] to view:  New American Standard Bible; Conferenza Episcopale Italiana; Orthodox Jewish Bible; SBL Greek New Testament 
    + consider the significance of this crucial cross-cultural visit by Simon Peter to a Roman in Caesarea.

    Now on the next day he got ready and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. On the following day he entered Caesarea.

    ACTS 10:23b-24a NASB

    Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

    • Peter has brought fellow followers of Christ, fellow jews from Joppa [v.23].
    • Cornelius is A devout man, &–an uncircumcised Gentile proselyte to the Jewish faith, of whom there were a very great number at this time; a distinguished proselyte, who had brought his whole household establishment under the hallowing influence of the Jewish faith and the regular observance of its principal seasons of worship. – source

    When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him.


    This is more than respect and above customary honor of one man to a delegate coming to him from another place or as a representative of the true faith he seeks.

    Cornelius, a Roman Jew in every way except birth and circumcision, recognizes that Peter, is ambassador of the Messiah Jesus, a man of miracles.

    Faithful and reliable men have even told him about Peter and his miracles in Jerusalem confirming the Messiah AND Jesus’ anointing of this Apostle who has now come into his presence in his Roman city of Caesarea.

    Just like the healed lame man who clung to Peter at the Temple, Cornelius meets a man with the Power of the Lord who gives all credit to the Lord Jesus Christ.

    26 But Peter helped him up, saying,

    “Stand up; I, too, am just a man.”

    27 As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled. And he said to them,

    “You yourselves know that it is forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner;


    Just let this sink in for a moment, as Peter’s Roman listeners in Caesarea certainly must have done:

    Cornelius may have instructed the men in his command in this manner:

    These JEWISH subjects of our Roman legions are NOT at all like the tolerant Hellenists we meet throughout Caesar’s Empire! So avoid them when possible.

    Peter continues with words of comfort to these gentiles:

    and yet God has shown me that I am not to call any person unholy or unclean.

    That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for.


    NEXT:

    Cornelius recounts his own ‘coming to Jesus’ experience at Caesar’s Palace East in Caesarea.

    To be continued...
  • An Apostolic Model: Administration of a Growing Church

    An Apostolic Model: Administration of a Growing Church

    Now that we have defined some key terms of the church (including ‘church’ – ἐκκλησία), we can proceed to examine the administration of disciples following the Lord Jesus Christ (‘Christians).

    If you missed this defining first post about ACTS 6, you may want to visit some of the secure links included in Ministering to a Growing Church (BELOW).

    Who would lead change after hearing their murmurings?

    Last time we only got to one verse, Acts 6:1, then encountered a roadblock before I could address how the Twelve ran their administration of the multitudes.

    ..when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews,

    Acts 6:1 excerpt KJV

    Does that sound like YOUR Church?

    Let’s address my next question from our previous post about ministering to the personalities in this initial Church of the Apostles.

    How can WE help relieve so many PERSONAL problems for hundreds of families belonging to our growing church?

    Filling in a four-hundred year gap between the OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS:
    
    (The Apostles, of course, understood their church family history better than we do.)

    Mapping out traditions of our pasts

    I suppose you have wondered about my FIRST CENTURY CHURCH MOSAIC attached to this post. So let’s take a look at the diverse ethnic gathering of the lost sheep of Israel (along with some NON-JEWS as well).

    Acts 6 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, maps of empires impacting the Jews
    First Jerusalem Church of the Apostles

    Here’s an unspoken issue of ethnos underpinning their recent ‘murmurings.’

    divided map of Roman empire

    Israel did not exist!

    In the time of the Apostles, a divided Greek-speaking Roman empire changed administrations frequently.

    Before the Herod’s

    • JEWS exiled to the EAST to Babylon, some returning to Jerusalem AFTER Persia defeats Babylon.
    • Many JEWS remained in cities WEST of Jewish influence in cities of the Greek and Roman world.

    map of kingdoms conquered by Alexander the Great
    BEFORE HEROD – Kingdom of Alexander the Great 336-323 B.C.
    • 323 BC, Alexander died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in Babylon
      • Alexander had conquered cities, kingdoms & empires from Greece to Asia and to Egypt, Babylon, Persia and beyond.
      • These ‘Hellenized‘ cultures then embraced or tolerated Greek customs and language as a universalist ethnos applied to trading and communication between cultures.
        • (Compare to a contemporary founding culture three centuries ago in North America.)
    • 200’s BC, The Ptolemy’s of Egypt (who had also been Hellenized by Alexander’s conquests) ruled Jerusalem and the eastern Mediterranean coast to Syria beyond Tyre and Sidon.
    • 100’s BC, Seleucia (modern-day Bagdad) was the Hellenized capital of the Seleucid Empire which survived until 63 BC
      • As you can see on the top-left of my map mosaic, much of this massive empire lies east of Rome’s later reach.
      • 167-134 BC, Maccabean revolt and resistance against Seleucid rule in Judah
    • 63 BC, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus or Pompey the Great, captured Jerusalem for Rome
    • 37 BC, Herod the Great (of Edomite ancestry, born in Idumea) aligned himself with Rome.
    Herod's kingdom 4BC

    Rome divides its client kingdom into:

    • Bashan
    • Lower Galilee
    • Samaria
    • Mishor
    • Judea &
    • Idumea

    In the time of Jesus and the Apostles into:

    • Samaria, Judea & Idumea
    • Perea & Galilee
    • Batania (Caesarea Philippi) & Auranitis
    • Syria, including Phoenicia & Ituraea
      • (with Antioch, Roman city of 500,000+ residents, residence of its Governor)

    source

    Apostolic ACTS of Administration

    6:2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said,

    “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

    NIV

    WHEN will we ever have time to minister to our church family?

    NOT OUR PROBLEM? NO! That’s not what the Apostles leading the growing church are saying.

    In fact, the Apostles lead other servants of God to solve the church’s own ministry ‘challenge.’

    Waiting tables is just one of our many ministries

    “Instead, brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

    Acts of the Apostles 6:3 NASB20
    • Together this first church in Jerusalem, saints ministering to each other (though having common petty differences),
      • must address the administration of their own servant duties to the community
      • without intervention of the their masters (and teachers) the Apostles.

    But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry G1248 of the word.

    ACTS 6:5 This proposal pleased the whole group.

    • Select seven (for administration of a church of 500+ saints now)
    • These seven men must be μαρτυρέω [of good reputation]
      • (NOT as we might think, but i.e. ‘to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration.’
      • Seven men from the
    • .. full of the [Holy] Spirit
    • .. and of wisdom σοφία [sophia] who we should put in charge [administrators] of this task.
    These laymen disciples will choose those who will administer the daily tasks of the church.

    An Administration by More Servant Leaders

    And they chose:

    1. Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and
    2. Philip,
    3. Prochorus, [Greek, probably a Hellenist]
    4. Nicanor, [a Greek name]
    5. Timon,
    6. Parmenas, [may have been from Asia minor] and
    7. Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch [a pagan converted to Judaism from the city in Syria where he will soon to minister to the gentiles]

    What must we do for each and every saint of our Lord Christ Jesus?

    Administration of our designated authority

    And they brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

    ACTS of BLESSING the seven men in Jerusalem given authority by the Apostles 6:6

    Prayer (inquiring of the LORD) followed by Blessing

    We see such acts as this throughout Scripture.

    Moses chooses seventy to help. Israel blesses each of his grown sons before his death. (Isaac had blessed Jacob and not Esau.) Moses blesses Joshua. David blesses Solomon.

    Conversation with the LORD followed by the Lord’s blessing of continued authority of administration of His work through another.

    They laid their hands … - Among the Jews it was customary to lay hands on the head of a person who was set apart to any particular office, Numbers 27:18; Compare Acts 8:19. This was done, not to impart any power or ability, but to "designate" that they received their authority or commission from those who thus laid their hands on them, as the act of laying hands on the sick by the Saviour was an act signifying that the power of healing came from him, Matthew 9:18; compare Mark 16:18. In such cases the laying on of the hands conveyed of itself no healing power, but was a sign or token that the power came from the Lord Jesus. Ordination has been uniformly performed in this way. See 1 Timothy 5:22. 
    

    Though the seven deacons had been chosen by the church to this work, yet they derived their immediate commission and authority from the apostles.

    Barnes’ Notes on the BibleSource of this & extended quote above: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/acts/6-6.htm

    The Great Commission

    (Mat 28:16–20Luk 24:44–49Act 1:6–8 )

    Later he [Jesus] appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he had risen. Then he said to them,

    “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

    Gospel of Mark 16:15 CSB

    .. but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”

    ACTS of the risen Christ 1:8
    And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them.
    Acts 2:3

    The Day of Pentecost had been a laying on of hands by the Holy Spirit such as man had never seen!

    Roger@TalkofJESUS.com
    1350 illustration of Gamaliel seated with students

    Recalling a caution of Gamaliel

    But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

    Acts of the Apostles 5:39 NLT

    So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

    Acts of the Apostles 6:7 NIV
    ACTS of the Apostles - To be continued...

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