67Th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectureship -- the Hero of the Story: the Book of Acts Revisited (2010)
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Pepperdine University Pepperdine Digital Commons Pepperdine Bible Lectures: Programs Religion 2010 67th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectureship -- The Hero of the Story: The Book of Acts Revisited (2010) Jerry Rushford Pepperdine University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/churches Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Rushford, Jerry, "67th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectureship -- The Hero of the Story: The Book of Acts Revisited (2010)" (2010). Pepperdine Bible Lectures: Programs. https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/churches/70 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Religion at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Pepperdine Bible Lectures: Programs by an authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. THE HERO OF THE STORY the book of acts reviSited 67TH aNNUaL BIBLE LEcTURES MaY 4-7, 2010 MaLIBU, CALiFORNIA THE HERO OF THE STORY he God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everythingT else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ACTS 17:24-28 The New International Version Message from the President Stories can be more than informative—they can become formative and even transformative. They can mold our minds and hearts from the time we are able to understand them. And the principal characters, the heroes of the stories, often become our mentors and our role models. The Pepperdine University Bible Lectures for 2010 will take a fresh look at the Book of Acts, the stirring story of those early Christians who turned the world upside down. But this time, we will discover the true Hero of the Story: the One who commissioned and empowered, who redeemed and gave gifts, and who ultimately accomplished the impossible through people who were not so different from ourselves. Christian authors have correctly and wisely advised us, “It’s not about you.” That has never been truer than here in the unparalleled saga told in Acts. Although memorable people played important roles, the story always was and always will be about God. It is His story, after all. And as the “Acts of God’s People” continue even today, it is His continuing tale of power and redemption. It’s for us to gratefully accept and marvel at our role in the contemporary drama that God is directing and unfolding. We welcome you to the Bible Lectures and to Pepperdine University. This year you are in for many surprises. For one, if you attended the Bible Lectures last year, you were inconvenienced by the construction clutter and activity—but this year the campus focal point is finished and is sparkling new! It has earned a new name, the Sharon and Terry Mullin Town Square. The Joslyn Plaza you may remember is barely recognizable. It has been transformed into a gathering place that is more beautiful and gracious than ever before. This year’s Bible Lectures will clearly be the most extensive, the most international, the most diverse, and the most exciting we have ever hosted, thanks to Jerry Rushford, his team and the hundreds of excellent speakers, teachers, and presenters that will flood our campus. Our prayer is that the major renovation of the center of our campus will be matched by the renovation of our hearts, with renewed faith, worship, and work. As you discover the new beauty of Joslyn Plaza on the Malibu campus, may you also discover the eternal greatness and power of the exalted Hero of the Book of Acts—the God of the ages, the Savior of our souls. Andrew K. Benton President As a Christian University, Pepperdine Affirms ThaT God is That God is revealed uniquely in Christ That the educational process may not, with impunity, be divorced from the divine process That the student, as a person of infinite dignity, is the heart of the educational enterprise That the quality of student life is a valid concern of the University That truth, having nothing to fear from investigation, should be pursued relentlessly in every discipline That spiritual commitment, tolerating no excuse for mediocrity, demands the highest standards of academic excellence That freedom, whether spiritual, intellectual, or economic, is indivisible That knowledge calls, ultimately, for a life of service Message from the Lectures Team This year at the Pepperdine Bible Lectures, we will revisit the birth of the Christian age, with all its dynamism, excitement, and power! It is time to recapture that spirit of newness and adventure, of simple trust in the marvelous presence of God at work in His world—and to acknowledge the real Hero of the Story. Our planned program is extensive: 282 classes and 330 program participants, who are coming from 44 states in the USA, and from 22 other nations. This year, there is more diversity among participants. This stirs us to look forward with great anticipation toward something that is reminiscent, in some way, of the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two! We are excited about the new town square, the beautiful Joslyn Plaza, which will now host us with warmth and graciousness. And the thought-provoking theme that focuses on our great God has inspired our Lectures Team to work more diligently than ever. Meanwhile, the presenters are preparing with dedication, and everything is moving toward a mighty moment in May. Two things are now needed. The first is prayer. We ask you to pray for this assembly of Christians—that those who speak, teach, and lead in various ways will prepare in God’s power, not merely in their own ability. Pray fervently that God will be glorified as He was on the Day of Pentecost long ago, and that thousands of Christians will be inspired and empowered through these days of spiritual refreshment. Pray for yourself and your loved ones, that all of you will find newness of life through the spirit of this assembly. Above all, invite God to come among us at these moments in May. The second thing needed is for you to make unchangeable plans to be present at as many sessions as possible—and to encourage your loved ones to be there beside you. It will be a time of renewed commitment and praise to the Lord. And Rick Gibson, Tami Williamson, Joella Michael, and Jerry Rushford there will be precious opportunities to rekindle friendships with kingdom people. These are the experiences that transcend earth and time. “This year at the Pepperdine Bible Lectures, What will make these the greatest Pepperdine Bible Lectures ever? The answer is, for all of us to wait in prayerful expectation for God to come among us, to inspire us and to work in us we will revisit the birth of the Christian age, as He has through all ages. Beyond doubt, our world and our fellowship need another “Acts 2”—more specifically, we need with all its dynamism, excitement and power! the great God of Acts. As we have said before, one of the things most loved by regular attendees is the heartwarming fellowship of kingdom It is time to recapture that spirit of newness and people. Everywhere across the campus, from morning till late evening, there will be embraces, laughter, tears, conversations, adventure, of simple trust in the marvelous presence and prayers. It is the sweetest of reunions, the grandest of communions. Welcome to the Pepperdine Bible Lectures! May the Hero of God at work in His world–and to acknowledge of the Story, the Lord of Pentecost, richly bless you. the real Hero of the Story.” The Lectures Team Our GlOBAl Guests it B xhi e THE WORLD COMES TO THE ectures Art l le B PEPPERDINE BIBLE LECTURES Bi STATES REPRESENTED COUNTRIES REPRESENTED Alabama Indiana Missouri Pennsylvania Australia Mexico Arizona Iowa Montana Rhode Island Canada New Zealand Arkansas Kansas Nebraska South Carolina China Nigeria California Kentucky Nevada Tennessee Colombia Russia Colorado Louisiana New Jersey Texas Croatia Rwanda Delaware Maine New Mexico Utah Ethiopia Slovenia Florida Maryland New York Vermont Ghana South Africa Georgia Massachusetts North Carolina Virginia Greece Spain Hawaii Michigan Ohio Washington Ireland Sudan Idaho Minnesota Oklahoma West Virginia Japan Uganda Illinois Mississippi Oregon Wisconsin Malaysia Zimbabwe May 4–7, 2010 This exhibit features drawings, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. paintings, and photography from members of Pepperdine’s Public Artists’ Reception: AffairsListing team. of Thursday,states & countriesMay 6, Noon–1:30 p.m. You have seen somerepresented of the Frederick at BL R. Weisman Museum of Art award winning work they create for the University. This is your opportunity to see work from their personal portfolios. PORTFOLIO of creative work III 4 OpeNiNG NiGht DiNNers A sce OPENING NIGHT DINNER PROGRAMS ND i NG VO Please purchase tickets in advance. See reservation form on page 51. ice ASSOCIATED WOMEN FOR PEPPERDINE MEN’S DINNER ii Rockwell Dining Center, 4:15 p.m. Drescher Cafeteria, 4:15 p.m.