Unstoppable Confirmation 11 / 15 / 2020
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Vergil's Nisus and the Language of Self-Sacrifice In
Vergil’s Nisus and the Language of Self-Sacrifice in Paradise Lost LEAH WHITTINGTON Princeton University When the Son of God offers to die for mankind in book 3 of Paradise Lost (1667), readers who have been tempted to join the devil’s party for the first two books of the poem confront an unsettling dramatic scene: the assembly in heaven is staged as a mirror image of the demonic council at Pandemonium. The listening host suddenly grows quiet, and a solitary hero figure emerges out of the silence to take on the burden of raising the collective fortune. Placed beside the Son’s promise to atone for man’s sin with his death, Satan’s exploratory mission to earth comes into focus as a fallen reflection of self-sacrifice, a self-aggrandiz- ing perversion of the poem’s heroic ideal now articulated in the Son. This moment of internal self-reference has often been identified as part of Milton’s didactic strategy to confront the reader with proof of his own fallenness,1 but it is less often recognized that the Son’s speech to the angelic host makes use of an allusion that gives it a central place in the story of Milton’s engagement with classical epic.2 When the Son 1. See Stanley Fish, Surprised by Sin (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1971). Fish famously argues that the heroic portrayal of Satan is part of a larger narrative strategy by which Milton provokes the reader ‘‘with evidence of his corruption’’ and forces him ‘‘to refine his perceptions so that his understanding will be once more proportionable to truth’’ (xiii). -
Theophilus Long
!1 “They’re Real People!” By Pastor Jim Ayars 6 January 2018 Luke 1:1-4 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. [ESV] “They’re Real People!” If it were not for Luke’s dedication of his two-volume historical record to him, we would never know of a man named Theophilus. Luke mentions him twice, first in the preface to his first book, now called the Gospel According to Luke, and second, in the opening lines of his second book, now called The Acts of the Apostles. In his dedication of the second volume, Luke wrote: “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” [Acts 1:1-3 ESV] Who was he? Most scholars have no clue. As early as the beginning of the third century, Origen, an early Christian commentator and theologian from Alexandria, Egypt, who lived from 184/185 – 253/254, suggested that the name Theophilus is really a metaphor for all believers. -
Authorship of Acts
AUTHORSHIP OF ACTS Like all Scripture, the book of Acts was inspired by the Holy Spirit. But its divine inspiration should not lead us to diminish our attention to its human authors. The Holy Spirit kept the original writings of Scripture free from error, but he still employed the personalities, backgrounds and intentions of its human writers. Acts has traditionally been attributed to Luke, the author of the third gospel. But neither the third gospel nor the book of Acts specifically mentions the name of the author. So, we should look at the reasons for affirming the traditional view of Luke's authorship. We will explore the authorship of Acts from three perspectives. First, we will compare Acts with the Gospel of Luke. Second, we will examine early church history and its witness concerning Luke's authorship. And third, we will look briefly at other aspects of the New Testament that indicate that Luke wrote these books. Let's turn first to what we can learn about the authorship of Acts from the Gospel of Luke. Gospel of Luke When we compare the book of Acts with the third gospel, two types of evidence emerge that strongly suggest one person wrote both books. On the one hand, there is explicit information stated directly in both books that points in this direction. On the other hand, there is also implicit evidence from the style and content of these books. Let's begin with the explicit evidence that indicates a common author for both books. Explicit In Acts 1:1, the prologue of the book of Acts, we read these words: In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach (Acts 1:1). -
Acts of the Apostles Session 5 Acts 10-12
Acts of the Apostles Session 5 Acts 10-12 “…to the ends of the earth!” Humility (and humiliations!) for the Gospel Recap and look forward • May 27- Acts 13-16 • June 3- Acts 17-20 • June 10- Acts 21-24 • June 17- Acts 24-28 • June 24- Acts 29 Outline for our discussion: • 10:1-33 -the visions of Peter and Cornelius and their meeting • 10:34-43 Peter’s preaching of Jesus Christ • 10:44-49 Coming of the Holy Spirit (!) and Baptism • 11- Peter explains his actions to the Jerusalem Christians • 11:19-26 Church in Antioch, “Christians”, Barnabas and Saul • 11:27-30 prophecy of Agabus and mercy missions • 12: 1-19 Herod’s persecution of the Church, Martyrdom of James, son of Zebedee, arrest of Peter and Peter’s miraculous release from prison • 12:20-25 Death of Herod (Julius Agrippa I) Quiz Time! (answers given at the end of the session) 1. What was the controversy that led the early Church to call and ordain the first deacons? 2. What is the method of reading the Old Testament called where you see Old Testament figures as being fulfilled in Jesus? (used by Stephen in his preaching before his martyrdom) 3. Name two ways that Deacon Philip’s engagement with the Ethiopian eunuch are a model for evangelization. 4. Name one place that the famous “Son of Man” from Daniel chapter 7 is referenced in the Gospel of Luke or Acts of the Apostles. ***Cindy and the “standing” of the Son of Man at the right Hand of God in Stephen’s vision* Humility and humiliations: Saul escaping Damascus in a basket (9:23-25); Peter eating gross stuff, visiting house of a Roman Centurion; a Roman Centurion prostrating before a Jewish fisherman; baptizing pagans; Peter explaining himself before others (newcomers to the Jesus movement!); Herod’s self-exaltation and demise; hilarious liberation of Peter from prison; handing over leadership to James. -
2020 Yale Bible Study-Acts-Intro.Pages
Yale BIBLE STUDY The Acts of the Apostles Introduction The Book of Acts is the second volume of a two-volume work. The first volume is the Gospel According to Luke and the second volume is the Acts of the Apostles. The arrangement of our Bibles confuses the close relationship between these two works by separating them with the Gospel of John. Almost certainly the first readers of Acts would have read our book or heard it as the immediate sequel to Luke’s Gospel. Traditionally both volumes have been attributed to Luke and Luke has been identified as a physician and as Paul’s travel companion (see Philemon 24, Colossians 4:14 and 2 Timothy 4:11). The identification of Luke as the author of the Gospel and of Acts is later than the earliest versions of the writings themselves, but in these studies, we will refer to the author as “Luke” without trying to make a judgment about whether he was the Luke who is mentioned both in Acts and in the New Testament epistles. What we can tell about out author is that he is self-consciously a historian. Each of our four biblical gospels is written for particular purposes, but it is Luke who most clearly states the purpose of his two volume work in the prefaces he writes – Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-5. In the prologue to Acts, Luke states clearly that this is the second volume of his work. Both prefaces are addressed to Theophilus. Theophilus may have been Luke’s patron – the one who invited him to write the two volumes. -
Great Cloud of Witnesses.Indd
A Great Cloud of Witnesses i ii A Great Cloud of Witnesses A Calendar of Commemorations iii Copyright © 2016 by The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America Portions of this book may be reproduced by a congregation for its own use. Commercial or large-scale reproduction for sale of any portion of this book or of the book as a whole, without the written permission of Church Publishing Incorporated, is prohibited. Cover design and typesetting by Linda Brooks ISBN-13: 978-0-89869-962-3 (binder) ISBN-13: 978-0-89869-966-1 (pbk.) ISBN-13: 978-0-89869-963-0 (ebook) Church Publishing, Incorporated. 19 East 34th Street New York, New York 10016 www.churchpublishing.org iv Contents Introduction vii On Commemorations and the Book of Common Prayer viii On the Making of Saints x How to Use These Materials xiii Commemorations Calendar of Commemorations Commemorations Appendix a1 Commons of Saints and Propers for Various Occasions a5 Commons of Saints a7 Various Occasions from the Book of Common Prayer a37 New Propers for Various Occasions a63 Guidelines for Continuing Alteration of the Calendar a71 Criteria for Additions to A Great Cloud of Witnesses a73 Procedures for Local Calendars and Memorials a75 Procedures for Churchwide Recognition a76 Procedures to Remove Commemorations a77 v vi Introduction This volume, A Great Cloud of Witnesses, is a further step in the development of liturgical commemorations within the life of The Episcopal Church. These developments fall under three categories. First, this volume presents a wide array of possible commemorations for individuals and congregations to observe. -
We Are Theophilus
March 2/3 WE ARE THEOPHILUS John Fuller, Senior Pastor INTRODUCTION This week, Pastor John begins our seven-week series Luke: The Gospel for the Rest of Us. He explains that in writing to Theophilus, Luke set out to write to the “average” person; hence the sermon title “We are Theophilus.” In the first three chapters of his comprehensive Gospel, Luke fills in the blanks regarding some areas of uncertainty about Jesus. To quote Pastor John, “So it was thought… but with God, there’s always more than we thought.” DISCUSSION 1. Read Luke 1:3-4 aloud. As Pastor John stated, “It’s easy to believe a few things about God without really believing God.” Discuss why it’s problematic to have some information about God without more complete knowledge and certainty. 2. Pastor John used passages from chapters 1-3 to help illustrate that life is not random. Discuss how Luke’s accounts of the following help teach us about God’s purposefulness: Zechariah & Elizabeth Mary & Joseph The Roman Census Prophecy about John the Baptist Jesus’s Genealogy 3. God chooses to use unexpected, ordinary people for His glory. Who are some of the characters in the first three chapters of Luke who help to illustrate this truth about God? In what ways does this bring encouragement to you in your walk with the Lord? Share with the group. 4. Heaven is not “earned” by anyone. Rather, it is for everyone who loves Jesus and surrenders their lives to Him. Read Ephesians 2:8-10 aloud. Discuss how this passage should influence us as a church community as well as individually. -
Lesson 7 – Saul's Conversion Text: Acts 9 Main Characters: God, Jesus
Lesson 7 – Saul’s Conversion Text: Acts 9 Main Characters: God, Jesus, Saul, Ananias, Barnabas, Peter, Aeneas, Dorcas (Tabitha) Key Passages: - Acts 9:15-16 – Saul had been chosen by the Lord to preach to the Gentiles and others. - Acts 9:18-20 – Once Saul had been healed of his blindness, he immediately obeyed and preached. Main Storyline: After Stephen was stoned, Saul became even more zealous to persecute Jesus’ disciples, whom he believed were blaspheming God. He asked the high priest for written permission to go to the synagogues in Damascus to arrest any disciples of Christ that he could find. He was granted his request, and he and some other men began the journey to Damascus to continue the persecution of the church. As Saul and the other men approached Damascus, suddenly, a light shone around Saul from Heaven. Saul was stunned, and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice which asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul recognized the authority of the one speaking and asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord responded, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…” Saul trembled and was astonished when he heard Jesus reveal himself. He asked Jesus what he should do, and Jesus instructed him to go to Damascus for further instructions. The other men with Saul could not understand what was happening. When Saul got up from the ground, he realized that he had been blinded and could not see. The other men led him to Damascus, where he fasted for three days, still blind. -
Virgil, Aeneid 11 (Pallas & Camilla) 1–224, 498–521, 532–96, 648–89, 725–835 G
Virgil, Aeneid 11 (Pallas & Camilla) 1–224, 498–521, 532–96, 648–89, 725–835 G Latin text, study aids with vocabulary, and commentary ILDENHARD INGO GILDENHARD AND JOHN HENDERSON A dead boy (Pallas) and the death of a girl (Camilla) loom over the opening and the closing part of the eleventh book of the Aeneid. Following the savage slaughter in Aeneid 10, the AND book opens in a mournful mood as the warring parti es revisit yesterday’s killing fi elds to att end to their dead. One casualty in parti cular commands att enti on: Aeneas’ protégé H Pallas, killed and despoiled by Turnus in the previous book. His death plunges his father ENDERSON Evander and his surrogate father Aeneas into heart-rending despair – and helps set up the foundati onal act of sacrifi cial brutality that caps the poem, when Aeneas seeks to avenge Pallas by slaying Turnus in wrathful fury. Turnus’ departure from the living is prefi gured by that of his ally Camilla, a maiden schooled in the marti al arts, who sets the mold for warrior princesses such as Xena and Wonder Woman. In the fi nal third of Aeneid 11, she wreaks havoc not just on the batt lefi eld but on gender stereotypes and the conventi ons of the epic genre, before she too succumbs to a premature death. In the porti ons of the book selected for discussion here, Virgil off ers some of his most emoti ve (and disturbing) meditati ons on the tragic nature of human existence – but also knows how to lighten the mood with a bit of drag. -
A Biographical Study of Luke
Liberty University Scholars Crossing New Testament Biographies A Biographical Study of Individuals of the Bible 10-2018 A Biographical Study of Luke Harold Willmington Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/nt_biographies Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "A Biographical Study of Luke" (2018). New Testament Biographies. 24. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/nt_biographies/24 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the A Biographical Study of Individuals of the Bible at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in New Testament Biographies by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Luke CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY I. The ministry of Luke A. He was a co-worker with the Apostle Paul. 1. Traveling with Paul during the second missionary journey a. Luke joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy at the city of Troas (Acts 16:8, 10). b. He ministered to Lydia and a demoniac girl at Philippi (Acts 16:14-18). c. For some reason, neither he nor Timothy were beaten and thrown into prison as were Paul and Silas (Acts 16:19-34). 2. Traveling with Paul during the third missionary journey a. Luke again joined Paul at Troas, as he had during the previous trip (Acts 20:6). b. He participated in a prayer meeting on the seashore at Tyre (Acts 21:4-6). c. He visited with Philip the evangelist and his four daughters at Caesarea (Acts 21:8-9). -
Acts 8:26-10:48
Three Months with the Spirit Bible Study on The Acts of the Apostles Acts 8:26-10:48 26Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had 28 come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated 29 in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the 30 Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He 31 asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. -
Acts 15:36-41 the First Division Among Church Leaders
The First Division among Church Leaders JUNE 21-23, 2017 Pastor David Andersen / PO BoxBible 2020, Chesterfield, Study VA Title 23832 / [email protected] Acts 15:36-41 “Then after some days Paul said to Paul owed Barnabas an incredible debt of gratitude for all Barnabas, ‘Let us now go back and visit our that he had done for him. Barnabas had introduced him brethren in every city where we have preached the to the Jerusalem church who had refused to trust him word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.’ 37) because of the terror he had inflicted upon them through his fierce persecution. When Barnabas had been sent to Now Barnabas was determined to take with them the church at Antioch, after his ministry began to be John called Mark. 38) But Paul insisted that they blessed there, he went to Tarsus to get Saul to help him. should not take with them the one who had Their dynamic pastoral leadership together caused the departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not believers to “first be called Christians at Antioch.” On their gone with them to the work. 39) Then the first mission trip, after Paul had won the king and taken contention became so sharp that they parted one his name, Barnabas gave him the leadership of the mission team. Thus, he became the primary speaker as from another. And so Barnabas took Mark and they visited the synagogues in Pisidian Antioch and sailed for Cyprus; 40) but Paul chose Silas and Iconium where it seems that over half of these cities are departed, being commended by the brethren to won for Christ.