Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Roll Call of the Faithful, or the Hall of Faith. The writer names many Old Testament saints who are examples of faithfulness. But the writer also leaves some unnamed, although their stories are well known.
In referring to the faithful who "shut the mouths of lions," and "quenched the power of fire," we know references to Daniel and Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego. These four men stood for their faith against Nebuchadnezzar, the head of the powerful Babylonian Empire.
This kind of faith does not grow in a vacuum. What influenced them? How could they stand so boldly for their God?
Today's lesson examines their lives before the Babylonian captivity and the influences in their lives that resulted in such bold faith.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
As Alexander the Great conquered the Mediterranean world and into the regions of modern day Iraq, Iran and India, he brought with him. In today's session, we see how Greek culture influenced the culture and language of Judea. By the time the church enters the scene, the primary translation of the Scriptures is the Septuagint; the Greek translation of the Old Testament.
We finish our session with an introduction into the Apostolic Age.
Thank you for listening.
The church was born into a specific period in history, to a specific culture, location, language, etc. In last week's session we looked at the impact of the Greek and Roman worlds on the birth of the church.
This week, we begin to look at the Jewish world, from the Babylonian Exile to the Roman occupation. We will see the rise of such figures as the Herods in Palestine and how their reign paved the way for the Roman occupation of Palestine.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson.
In the opening chapter of the book of Acts, the Lord instructed the Apostles to remain in Jerusalem and to wait for what the Lord had promised, the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). Now, gathered together in one place, the promise is fulfilled. Just as Jesus was crucified publicly, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit came in a dramatic, public fashion. The result was a turning point in world history with the birth of the Church. And the sames Spirit that was at work on the day of Pentecost, is the same Spirit at work in the church today.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
"When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)
Jesus Christ came into the world at a particular point in history, to a particular place in the world and born into a particular culture. But none of this happened by chance but God sovereignly ordaining the time and place of His appearing. Not only this, but the circumstances into which the Lord was born ensured that the Church would be born into circumstances that would help promote the spread of the Gospel.
Join us for the second lesson in early church history as we study the historical background of the church. We will see how history prior to the appearing of Jesus Christ was truly preparation for His appearing. And in doing so, we begin to see how history after His first coming paves the way for the diffusion of His Spirit throughout the world.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May the Lord bless you as you take this journey with us through the history of Jesus' Church.
Waiting is one of the hardest things to do. We often sense that answers to our prayers are delayed, or that God isn't answering these prayers. We are tempted to believe that God is not working during these times when we must wait. But nothing is farther from the truth.
In the opening verses of the Book of Acts, Jesus bid farewell to the Apostles. Before ascending into heaven before their eyes, "He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised" (Acts 1:4 NASB). This was the promised Holy Spirit who would empower the apostles for the ministry for which the Lord had prepared them.
It was during this time of waiting that the Lord continued to prepare the apostles for what lie ahead. And it is during this time that we see an example of what the church is to be.
Thank you for listening as we continue this study through the book of Acts. May you be blessed through God's Word.
Mention the topic of church history and you will likely hear the sound of eyes rolling. History, in general, has the reputation of being dry, boring and generally unimportant. And while history may be presented in this manner, we must never neglect the importance to our modern lives, especially when it comes to church history.
This is the first lesson in a series of lessons presented by Alex Kremer from Atlantic Gospel Chapel in which we will examine a variety of topics related to early church history. In today's lesson, we ask the question, "Why should we study church history?" We will see at least six reasons for a study of this type:
- The promise that Jesus will build His church
- The Scriptural precedence for knowing our history
- Learn from past mistakes; and correct current heresies
- Expand our horizons
- To be inspired by the reminders of what God is doing in His world
- The wealth of resources for spiritual nourishment
It is our prayer that you will be encouraged, challenged and strengthened through this study of Church history in the coming weeks and months.
Thank you for listening.
In the opening verses of the book of Acts, the apostles spend 40 days with the risen Lord. During that time, He taught them the things concerning Himself, and "the things concerning the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3) Surely the disciples would have been encouraged to be in the presence of the resurrected Christ. They likely would have been eager to go out into the world to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
But instead of telling them to go out into the world, the Lord told them to wait in Jerusalem for what the Father had promised. In order for them to succeed in their new mission to spread the Gospel, they required the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them. This is the same Holy Spirit which indwells and empowers every believer in the Lord Jesus.
Thank you listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through God's Word.
The Book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke are, in essence, are two parts of the same book. Acts continues where Luke's Gospel leaves off. And so we interpret the Book of Acts in the context of what Christ has done. As such, the Book of Acts then becomes a bridge connecting what Jesus has done to what Christ is doing in His church today.
As we begin our study into the book of Acts, we begin by examining the work of Christ in the Gospels. We see that Jesus is building His church through the proclamation of the Gospel. And while the work is finished through the blood of Christ, there is still work to be done through applying the work of the Cross through preaching the Gospel.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson.
We make choices every day. Some choices are insignificant, such as what to eat, or what to wear, etc. Other choices are more significant, sch as education, marriage and family. And some choices have impacts that echo into eternity.
In today's lesson we look at two people who made choices based upon their faith in God. We consider the choices made by Moses, as well as those made by Moses' mother. In the end, we find that while none of us will hold up a staff to part the sea, or come down from the mountain carrying tablets of stones, we can all be like Moses' mother.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed as we study God's Word together.
