Volume 51 Issue 2

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Volume 51 Issue 2 THE VOLUME 51 | ISSUE 2 | 2019 BIBLE METHODIST OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BIBLE METHODIST CONNECTION OF CHURCHES Mentors A Crucial Component of the Christian Life THE BIBLE METHODIST VOLUME 51 | ISSUE 2 | 2019 EDITOR From the Rev. G. Clair Sams [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Editor Melba Sams 2235 Cale Switch Rd, Durant, OK 74701 [email protected] LAYOUT & DESIGN Shane Muir Mentor: a trusted counselor or guide. P.W. Keve, a pioneer [email protected] in the field of criminal justice wrote, “a mentor [is a person] who, because he is detached and disinterested, can hold up a PRINTING & CIRCULATION Country Pines, Inc. mirror to us.” www.countrypinesprinting.com This issue you will read articles that should challenge each of you. Historically, Christianity has known the importance The Bible Methodist is published four times a year. of influencing others in their walk with Christ and other It is the official publication of the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches. Christians. The Scriptures repeatedly remind us in the accounts of people highlighted and in the instructions given, Subscription price: $10 per year that discipleship is an extremely valuable tool. Too often we have failed to intentionally mentor or disciple BIBLE METHODIST others because of ignorance or indifference. The results of CONNECTION OF CHURCHES that lack produce inconsistency and confusion. Many people CONNECTIONAL CHAIRMAN in my generation simply assumed that their children or newly Dr. Michael Avery converted Christians would know what maturing Christians 3739 Moorhill Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45241 should embrace and reject. Because American culture had [email protected] for many years a strong Biblical foundation, many simply MISSIONS DIRECTOR assumed people would know the values of their faith. Rev. Timothy Keep Scripture has been removed from our culture. Christian 4473 Forest Trail, Cincinnati, OH 45224 values have eroded. Christian behavior has devolved. As [email protected] a result of the shift in the foundational understanding of ALABAMA REGIONAL Christianity and the behavior of its adherents, most people CONFERENCE PRESIDENT in North America have no real foundation for understanding Rev. John Parker the morals and character of Christianity. 40 Skyview Lane, Pell City, AL 35125 Each of us influence others either intentionally or uninten- [email protected] tionally. One of the great challenges a Believer faces is the GREAT LAKES REGIONAL choice to invest in the lives of others. It takes thought, prayer, CONFERENCE PRESIDENT time and commitment to mentor another. Parents are influ- Rev. Blake Jones encing their spouses and children. Teachers are influencing Box 5, Cedar Lake, MI 48891 [email protected] their students. Pastors are influencing the people who sit in the pew. HEARTLAND REGIONAL You may say I have little if anything to teach others. Don’t CONFERENCE PRESIDENT I need a course to teach me, or curriculum to lead me? My Rev. Chris Cravens 16346 TR 166, Arlington, OH 45813 answer would be, some help would be valuable. To meet that [email protected] need you might ask those who have influenced you for help. You may also carefully follow Christ and allow his presence MID-AMERICA REGIONAL CONFERENCE PRESIDENT to lead you in teaching and helping others. Rev. Darrell Stetler II For people who feel hesitant to offer themselves as mentors, 1116 SW 57th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 might ask the following question: “Does it not seem arrogant [email protected] to try to teach someone else how to live?” The answer to that question would be, “if you are offering yourself, simply to reproduce yourself or your theory, yes. But if your desire is to influence others to a deeper walk with Christ, you have much to offer already.” Your desire in prayer, passion for people and willingness to be used is a great tool. Allow the Holy Continue on page 6 2 The Bible Methodist // Issue 2 // 2019 Overcoming the Elijah Complex By Timothy L. Cooley, Sr. Elijah was a loner! He was a great man of God, but he liked After God waited him out at the cave, He sent Elijah back to be alone. He needed people, but he preferred to be alone! to the same disheartening place to keep on ministering— When he was discouraged, he ran off ALONE, slid under a anointing kings, rebuking sin, and preaching the One True juniper bush, and prayed to die! ALONE! Not even God could God—in the northern kingdom of Israel where the kings were talk sense to him. “Lord, they’ve killed all the good people. wicked and most of the people had forsaken the Lord! But I’m the only one left, and they’re trying to kill me!” The Elijah God also gave him a wonderful gift: Elisha, a man who knew Complex is discouraging and dangerous! how to work with people, a man who could organize others The Bible Methodist // Issue 2 // 2019 3 into teams, and a devoted disciple who could NOT be shaken mountain pass. Fighting the ‘sleep of death,’ they stumbled off. Elijah was rarely separated from Elisha until the day over a mound in the trail. It was a man, half dead. The Elijah left the planet, and even then, Elisha shouted out to let Tibetan refused to stop but continued on alone. The compas- Elijah know he was with him until the final moment! Elijah sionate Sadhu, however, shouldered the burden the best he became a mentor, even if against his will. And he grew! His could. Through his struggling, he began to warm up, as did ministry multiplied, his followers increased, schools of the the unconscious man. But before reaching the village they prophets sprang up, and his history was documented for 100 found the Tibetan—frozen to death.” generations to come. Elijah was “subject to like passions as I need to help others! Not only for their good, but for my we are” (James 5:17). He needed someone! own survival! Henderson (1997, p. 132) wrote, “Human nature Jesus must have experienced far greater awareness of the is perfected by participation in groups, not by acting as differences between Himself and His followers and of how isolated individuals.” little they understood, than Elijah ever could have felt, but The Witness Principle is that “except when needing to be Jesus was rarely alone. Of course, He could do ministry alone for a specific reason, every opportunity should be better than any of His helpers, but He knew He had to taken to do things with at least one other person” (Korn- build His message into people—close followers who would be field, 1982, pp. 70). You need helpers, and they need someone transformed by the Holy Ghost to carry out His Great Com- to help them. mission. Were they weaklings? Yes. Did they understand The Impact Principle is that generally the impact we make His assignments fully? No! But He kept people with Him on others “will be directly proportional to the quantity of constantly! In fact, He had so many people around Him that time” you spend with them “times the quality of time!” His earthly family thought He had lost His mind! (Mark 3:20- (Kornfield, 1982, pp. 69). You may be disappointed how many 21) He organized at least three circles of followers: groups of times other people miss your point, but you don’t know which 3, 12 and 70, plus many more followers in varying degrees lessons will stick. Some mundane incident may be galvanizing of closeness. Henderson observed that Jesus “preached to the to your helpers. masses, but explained to a few,” and “He called some ‘to be As Wesley struggled to keep the newly converted faithful, with Him’” (1983, p. 862). He invested heavily in discipling he recognized the necessity of assembling them “to watch the 12 and in working with the 70. Jesus’ Model of ministry over each other” and to have special meetings “apart from the was whole life-to-life transformation. He had people with great congregation, that they might instruct, rebuke, exhort, him, even when He was praying! (Luke 11:1). In Gethsemane, and pray with them and for them, according to their several He yearned for their company in prayer (Matthew 26:36-44), necessities” (1748, p. 251). It was a system of mentoring in was sorely disappointed in their failure, but did not give up groups that bound the Methodists together in a force that on them. He did withdraw “from them about a stone’s cast” transformed nations, much greater than the “rope of sand” (Luke 22:41), but they were still close enough to hear what He that Whitefield later realized his unconnected converts had said. Even after they dreadfully forsook Him, He went back become (Etheridge, 1859, p. 189). (after His Resurrection!) to rally them, help them deal with Hendricks and Hendricks (1995, p. 78) urged, “You need a their failure, and get them back on track. Paul. You need a Barnabas. And you need a Timothy”: 1) “an The Multiplication Principle is that Mentoring Multiplies older man who can build into [your] life”; 2) “a soul brother your Ministry. You cannot do everything that needs to be to whom [you] can be accountable”; and 3) “a younger man done, but you can be the catalyst that brings other active into whose life [you are] building.” laborers into the harvest. You need to take seriously Jesus’ Mentoring is not finding a water boy who will do your me- Prayer Request (Matthew 9:38)! Then having prayed and nial tasks. We’re in the Lord’s harvest, where there is always presented yourself as a worker, you need to bring helpers a shortage of laborers.
Recommended publications
  • I Know Jesus but Who Are
    I Know Jesus, but Who Are You? Acts 18:23—19:20 Paul’s Third Missionary Journey “I Know Jesus, but Who Are You?” Ephesus “I Know Jesus, but Who Are You?” Acts 18:23-25 “After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, …” “I Know Jesus, but Who Are You?” Acts 18:25-28 “though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted …” “I Know Jesus, but Who Are You?” Acts 18:28 “the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.” (ESV) “I Know Jesus, but Who Are You?” Apollos Sincere (accurate to a point), but lacking Things I Love •I love the approach of Priscilla and Aquila. “I Know Jesus, but Who Are You?” Things I Love •I love the approach of Priscilla and Aquila. •I love how Apollos responds.
    [Show full text]
  • Priscilla and Aquila May 19, 2019 Scripture: Acts 18:1-4, 18-21, 24-28
    WORD&WAY FORMATIONS COMMENTARY Priscilla and Aquila May 19, 2019 Scripture: Acts 18:1-4, 18-21, 24-28 As we study some of those who missionaries who establish themselves (Paul), then from Paul to Priscilla and joined the Apostle Paul in his in a community through secular Aquila, then from Priscilla and Aquila remarkable missionary work. In our world, when religious to Apollos, and fi nally through Apollos journeys we fi nd an organizations and titles can present a to the region of Achaia. God works interesting variety of barrier to those outside the church, we through all kinds of people in diff erent people with a single should learn from biblical accounts that situations and places to share his love. devotion to Christ. communicating God’s love happens We are not all destined for full-time Uniformity is found in when we live our faith outside the ministry, but we are called to be mentors their faith but not in church structure and denominational and encouragers, loving people into the Michael K. their social standing or walls. Organization is good but it family of God. I look back at my early Olmsted religious credentials. cannot change a human heart. days of ministry, when farmers, their It is also noteworthy that in a male- Note that Paul, for all his gift s, wives, deacons, Sunday School teachers dominated culture women could be partnered with others who then grew and older pastors took me under their involved in signifi cant ministry. For into their own ministry. He lived out wings, loving and encouraging me in instance Aquila is mentioned before his his philosophy that the church as ministry.
    [Show full text]
  • Paul the Emissary Companion Guide
    COMPANION GUIDE TO THE VIDEO Paul, the Emissary Prepared by Dr. Diana Severance P.O. Box 540 Worcester, PA 19490 610-584-3500 1-800-523-0226 Fax: 610-584-6643 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.visionvideo.com 2 Discussion Guide for The Emissary The Emissary portrays the story of the apostle Paul, closely following the Scriptural account in the book of Acts. Historians recognize that Paul was one of the most important men in all of world history. It was largely through his ministry that the message of Christianity was brought to much of the urban society of the Roman Empire within one generation. To better appreciate Paul’s ministry and impact, read the Scriptures, consider and discuss the following questions: 1. We first meet Paul in Scripture when Stephen was being stoned (Acts 7:54-60). At that time he was then called Saul. What role did Saul have in Stephen’s stoning? What impression might the dying Stephen’s words and behavior have on Saul? 2. Though born in Tarsus in Asia Minor, Paul was raised in Jerusalem, where he was a student of the beloved Gamaliel. What was Gamaliel’s attitude to the new sect of Christians? Why might Saul’s attitude differ so markedly from his teacher (Acts 22:3; 5:34-39; cf. 8:3; 9:1-2)? 3. Saul was not seeking the Lord Jesus, but the Lord was seeking him and spoke to Saul as he was on his way to Damascus to further persecute the Christians (Acts 9:1-7).
    [Show full text]
  • The Adventure Begins
    CHURCH AFIRE: The Adventure Begins ACTS (OF THE APOSTLES) • The epic story of the origin and growth of the Christian Church from the time of Christ’s ascension to heaven to Paul’s first imprisonment. – It is an adventure story with arrests, imprisonments, beatings, riots, narrow escapes, a shipwreck, trials, murders, and miracles. “The Adventure Begins” THE AUTHOR Neither the Gospel of Luke nor the Book of Acts mentions the author’s name ARGUMENT #1 • Luke & Acts were written by the same author – “It seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:3-4) – “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until he was taken up to heaven …” (Acts 1:1-2) “The Adventure Begins” ARGUMENT #2 • The author has an exceptional understanding of events and terminology – Had the opportunity to carefully investigate – Participated in some of the events – Demonstrates exceptional familiarity with Roman law and government – Understands the proper titles and political terminology – Very well educated “The Adventure Begins” ARGUMENT #3 • Acts is written by a companion of Paul – “We” passages (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1—28:16) • Paul’s traveling companions: –Luke, Silas, Timothy, Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Tychicus, and Trophimus. • By process of elimination, using the “we” passages, Luke is the only candidate that remains. “The Adventure Begins” ARGUMENT #4 • It is the unanimous testimony of the early church (*uncontested) *There are no books of the Bible with stronger corroboration for their authorship than the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts “The Adventure Begins” THE MAN Surprisingly, Luke’s name is only mentioned three times in Scripture REFERENCES TO LUKE • “Only Luke is with me.
    [Show full text]
  • Of the Apostles the Building of the Church
    OF THE APOSTLES THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH INVER GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST FALL 2019 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Acts 1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit LESSON 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (2) Until the Author: Unlike Paul’s Epistles, the Author of Acts does day in which he was taken up, after that he through the not name himself. The use of the personal pronoun “I” Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles in the opening sentence, seems to indicate the books whom he had chosen: (3) To whom also he shewed first recipients must have known the writer. The himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, beginning of this book and the third gospel have been being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the accepted as from Luke. things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that Date: Seems that the book was written before outcome they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the of the trial Paul went through, around 61 AD. promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of Purpose: The book of Acts , mainly the acts of Peter me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall and Paul, mostly Paul. Paul was an Apostle to Gentiles. be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I The Ascension am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: (6) When they therefore were come together, they We will see the Wonderful Work among the Nations asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore come to the gospel call, the Household of God passes again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And he said unto from being a National institution to an International them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, World Institution.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts (ALL Handouts)
    Acts Empowered to Witness Outline & Timeline (AD 32-70) Theme Scripture Yr Events Government ) ) 4 Acts 1 32-33 Jesus spent 40 days with disciples; then ascended (1:3,9) 9 1 Waiting in Jerusalem 3 36) -3 Disciples replace Judas with Matthias (1:15-26) C (6- 37) 4B 2 Empowered in Jerusalem Acts 2-3 Holy Spirit poured out; Peter speaks; 3000 converted (2) (26- Peter heals a man; preaches repentance (3) lilee a Peter & John arrested & released (4) (14- Acts 4-7 turea ( 3 Witnessing in Jerusalem s Judea G Ananias & Sapphira punished (5:1-11) u i of r of t of I Apostles imprisoned; released by an angel (5:17-20) t e 7 servants selected to help Hellenistic widows (6:1-6) b Te Proc II, Te Stephen arrested and stoned as Saul watches (7:54-60) Ti p i l pas, Saul sought out Christians to punish (8:1-3) i Acts 8-9 hi 4 Going to Judea & Samaria t P Philip taught a sorcerer and a royal eunuch (8:5-40) Pilate, d Saul's conversion; helped by Ananias (9:3-19) An d ius ero Emperor 33 Saul went to Arabia & Damascus (9:20-25; Gal 1:17) ro H 35-36 Saul in Jerusalem after 3yrs, with Barnabas (9:26-29) Pont He Saul went to Caesarea, Syria, & Tarsus (9:30; Gal 1:21) Peter healed Aeneas & Tabitha (9:32-42) ula Acts 10-12 Peter learned that God accepts Cornelius & Gentiles (10) 5 Going to the “Nations” alig Disciples spread North, teaching Jews & Gentiles (11:19-21) C d 43 Saul went to Antioch for 1 yr with Barnabas (11:26) I o Saul & Barnabas take contribution to Jerusalem (11:30) Saul went to Antioch with Barnabas & John Mark (12:25) Her 44 Herod murdered James
    [Show full text]
  • The Acts of the Apostles
    The Acts of the Apostles Author(s): White, Ellen Gould Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: This book is the fourth volume in White©s five-volume series entitled The Conflict of the Ages. The series tells the story of Christian history as told in the Bible, beginning from Gen- esis and ending in Revelation. The Acts of the Apostles covers the Great Commission to the visions given to John the Revelator, i.e., from the Book of Acts to the Book of Revelation. Her interpretation of history and the Bible is quite original, and provided a theological foundation for the forming of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. White©s unique and often controversial ideas address issues relevant to Christian faith and history that many of her contemporaries avoided. Although still highly criticized to this day, her work can chal- lenge readers to look at Christian perspectives on New Testament theology and the progression of history in new or alternative ways. Kathleen O©Bannon CCEL Staff Subjects: The Bible New Testament Special parts of the New Testament i Contents Title Page 1 Preface 2 Chapter 1. God's Purpose for His Church 4 Chapter 2. The Training of the Twelve 8 Chapter 3. The Great Commission 12 Chapter 4. Pentecost 17 Chapter 5. The Gift of the Spirit 23 Chapter 6. At the Temple Gate 28 Chapter 7. A Warning Against Hypocrisy 35 Chapter 8. Before the Sanhedrin 39 Chapter 9. The Seven Deacons 44 Chapter 10. The First Christian Martyr 49 Chapter 11. The Gospel in Samaria 52 Chapter 12.
    [Show full text]
  • NT New Covenant Disciples Leaders Guide
    Episcopal Curriculum for Youth NEW COVENTANT DISCIPLES Leader’s Guide Episcopal Curriculum for Youth—New Covenant Disciples Copyright © 2009 Virginia Theological Seminary i Copyright 2009 by Virginia Theological Seminary All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version, unless otherwise noted. Developed by Virginia Theological Seminary Center for the Ministry of Teaching 3737 Seminary Road Alexandria, VA 22304 Amelia J. Gearey Dyer, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief Dorothy S. Linthicum, Managing Editor George J. Kroupa, III, Associate Editor Writers for Covenant Ancestors Linda Nichols The Rev. Gail Smith The Rev. John Palarine ISBN: 0-8192-6050-9 Episcopal Curriculum for Youth—New Covenant Disciples Copyright © 2009 Virginia Theological Seminary ii TABLE OF CONTENTS BACKGROUND FOR LEADERS Teaching Youth in Episcopal Churches...............................................1 Understanding Younger Youth.............................................................3 Who Are Leaders?................................................................................9 The Episcopal Curriculum for Youth ..................................................12 Using the Curriculum..........................................................................13 New Covenant Disciples ....................................................................15 NEW COVENANT DISCIPLES: SESSION TITLES Mary & Gabriel: Encounter with Mystery ...........................................17 Elizabeth & Mary: Someone to Talk To .............................................21
    [Show full text]
  • Even Apostles Get Discouraged
    Even Apostles Get Discouraged Acts 18:1-22 Arrival in Corinth “After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.” (Acts 18:1, ESV) A Strategic Location “Even Apostles Get Discouraged” Temple of Apollo & Acrocorinth “Even Apostles Get Discouraged” 1 Corinthians 2:3 “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling.” (ESV) “Even Apostles Get Discouraged” Reason to Be Afraid •Persecution has taken its toll. “Even Apostles Get Discouraged” Reason to Be Afraid •Persecution has taken its toll. •Corinth is known as a wicked city. “Even Apostles Get Discouraged” Reason to Be Afraid •Persecution has taken its toll. •Corinth is known as a wicked city. •Paul is all alone. “Even Apostles Get Discouraged” Encouragement in Corinth Acts 18:2-11 Acts 18:2-4 “And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to …” “Even Apostles Get Discouraged” Acts 18:4-7 “persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ And he left there …” “Even Apostles Get Discouraged” Acts 18:7-9 “and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.
    [Show full text]
  • Jesus Eyes the Ends of the Earth Acts 19:21-20:5 Acts of the Exalted Jesus Sermon Series Kenwood Baptist Church Pastor David Palmer May 24, 2015
    Jesus Eyes the Ends of the Earth Acts 19:21-20:5 Acts of the Exalted Jesus Sermon Series Kenwood Baptist Church Pastor David Palmer May 24, 2015 TEXT: Acts 19:21-20:5 We continue this Sunday in our spring series on the Acts of the Exalted Jesus. This Sunday has many features to it: it's Pentecost Sunday; it's Memorial Day; and it's Teen Challenge Luncheon Sunday, so there are a lot of elements this morning. But, I want you think this morning in terms of Pentecost for just a minute. Pentecost is that interval between Passover and this summer celebration, the interval between Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and His exultation to the Father. Think back how long ago Easter feels from now, and that's the interval that Jesus spent with His disciples after He had been raised from the dead, teaching them of the Kingdom, and prompting them that they were to be His witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth. This spring, we have been following Christ as He moves out in an ever-increasing sphere of witness. This morning, we look at the ministry that takes place in Ephesus, and it is really an impossible task. Luke tries to summarize in Acts 19 and 20 three years of ministry in about 10 minutes. How can you summarize three years of ministry in 10 minutes? Yet, that is the challenge of these chapters. These chapters are anecdotal. There are several different scenes that are included, and there is a lot that happens in Paul's ministry that Christ does through him and others, as we'll see.
    [Show full text]
  • Priscilla and Aquila Paul’S Firm Friends and Model Tentmakers by Mans Ramstad
    Mans Ramstad 29 Priscilla and Aquila Paul’s Firm Friends and Model Tentmakers by Mans Ramstad n Acts and the Pauline letters around 95 individuals are recorded to have been associated with Paul during his ministry. They are participants Iin his preaching, teaching and writing. The presence of these people in Paul’s life shows the extent to which his ministry was one of teamwork and camaraderie, and was not a “one-man show”. Further analysis shows that of these 95 individuals, 36 of them were intimate coworkers of Paul (Hawthorne, Martin et al. 1993). Among the ranks of coworkers was the couple from Rome, Priscilla and Aquila. Paul referred to them as his syner- goi (coworkers), and they ministered together for a period of over ten years. During this time, Priscilla and Aquila1 ministered relatively independently of Paul, as he was often traveling or living in other locations, but their commitment to common ministry is sure. Although Paul is often considered the primary example of tentmaking ministry in the New Testament, and although the information we have on his ministry is the richest and most complete, we find among Paul’s friends other examples of good tentmaking ministry from which we can learn. I find Priscilla and Aquila to be excellent examples of how to be successful tentmak- ers and church planters in cross-cultural contexts. In this paper I would like to tell their life story as an example of successful tentmaking ministry. Background Aquila was a Jew born and raised in Pontus on the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor (Acts 18:1).
    [Show full text]
  • THE SPREAD of the Gospel in the BOOK of ACTS WELCOME to FELLOWSHIP PRAYER REQUESTS PRAYER TEAM
    WITNESSES THE SPREAD OF THE gospel IN THE BOOK OF ACTS WELCOME TO FELLOWSHIP PRAYER REQUESTS PRAYER TEAM WITNESSES THE SPREAD OF THE gospel IN THE BOOK OF ACTS Questions for WITNESSES Why do we come to church (if you do)? Regular attender or regular misser? How is the truth communicated best? Are you readyActs to receive 17 and evaluate? In the second century BC, the Romans built a highway called the via Egnatia from Dyrrachium on the Adriatic Sea to Byzantium (now called Constantinople) near the Black Sea, a distance of almost 700 miles. Nearly 20 feet wide and paid with hand laid stone slabs, it carried Roman troops to battle, and merchandise everywhere. Chuck Swindoll PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY c. AD 49 – 52 (Ac 15:3 9 –18:22) THRACE Black Sea A C E D O N N D P O N T US M I A A Philippi Byzantium I A Amphipolis Neapolis N Thessalonica Y Samothrace Nicaea H A Berea Apollonia T t I I A Gulf on I sp Prusa B C lle T He O A Troas A Dorylaeum D e MYSIA g e L A a Thyatira A n I P A A C H A I G Pisidian P A S ASIA e G a Y Antioch A Athens Ephesus . Corinth R C s Iconium t H Cilician M Saronic Lystra Cenchreae P Gates Derbe I A s Gulf Sila u C nd s l a I Pau n L Tarsus a I m C Seleucia A Rhodes Pieria Antioch S Y as ab R CRETE S arn k U B ar .
    [Show full text]