format · Web viewMatthew uses the word “lunatic” because epileptics were supposed to be affected by the changes of the moon (luna). “The first half of the…story focuses

Weekly Bible Study Resources

Bible Characters for Your Weekly Bible Study

Compiled by Lt Gen C. Norman Wood, USAF (Ret), Burke, VA 22015

For week of February 14 - 20, 2011

SUBJECT: MIND

Steinmetz, Sonia Elizabeth, “Eternal Mind,” POEM, Sentinel, Vol. 43 (20 September 1941), p. 1096.

There is no life apart from God,No mortal sense with Truth akin;

There are no ills to curse our blood;There is no death, no sickness, sin.

Immortal man, reflecting Love—Unselfish, pure, wise, just, and kind—

Forever lives to demonstrateTruth, Principle—eternal Mind.

SECTION IV: The healing of the demoniac (epileptic) son.(Matt 17: 14-18)PARALLEL GOSPELS: Mark 9: 14-29; Luke 9: 37-42TIME LINE: The Year of Opposition and Development (Jesus’ 3rd year of ministry), 29 AD , on the way to Mt. Hermon [Syria]

“a certain man”

This story is abbreviated drastically in Mark and Luke, and loses some genuine and valuable material. It is referred to as the “healing of the lunatic,” “the epileptic healed,” or “an epileptic healed.” Matthew uses the word “lunatic” because epileptics were supposed to be affected by the changes of the moon (luna). “The first half of the…story focuses on the failure of the disciples, the second on the faith of the boy’s father.” (Oxford Commentary)

The scribes had taken advantage of Jesus’ absence to undermine his influence with the multitude. The return of Jesus discomfited the scribes.

After the serene image of the transfiguration, "Jesus comes down from the mountain on the next day" (Interpreter's One-volume Commentary) to resume his works of benevolence. He who has communed with God and His prophets in the very atmosphere of heaven, now mingles in the common life of men, and concerns himself with their troubles. He was full of grace as well as truth. "He is met by a man whose son is possessed by a demonic spirit." (Ibid) “The boy had a demonically-induced inability to speak, a detail found only in Mark’s account [a dumb (mute) spirit, v.17].” (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html1

Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — February 14 - 20, 2011

Jesus’ “lament regarding the ‘perverse and faithless generation’ [Matt 17:17] with which he must abide is a reflection on the general climate of unbelief now affecting even his own disciples.” (HarperCollins Bible Commentary)

“The in-dwelling demon persistently gave him convulsions.” (King James Commentary) “The exorcism of the demonized boy provides Jesus the opportunity to demonstrate a power far beyond that of his disciples, who had earlier received authority over demons (Mark 6:7).” (Eerdmans Commentary)

"Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, heals the boy, and gives him back to the father, so that 'all were astounded at the greatness of God' [Luke 9:43]." (Ibid)

Gilmore, Dr. Albert F. (CSB, Lecturer, Editor, CSPS Trustee, Treasurer, and President), “By Prayer and Fasting,” EDITORIAL, Sentinel, Vol. 29 (21 April 1927), p. 670.

--Jesus’ reply to his disciples who asked the reason why they had not been able to heal the boy pronounced by his father to be lunatic, as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, contains an important message to those who practice spiritual healing.

• While attributing their failure to unbelief, the Master uttered these significant words: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out by prayer and fasting.”

---In the right interpretation of “prayer and fasting” lies the key to the healing of many cases of illness pronounced by medical authority to be incurable.--True healing is demonstrated through seeing man perfect, as never in need of healing; for God’s idea has never been aught but perfect.

• Mental regeneration wrought by the Christ-spirit constitutes the preparation for healing all cases which seem difficult.

“Child soldiers—a call to prayer,” Monitor (13 February 2008), p. 18.

--Jesus provided the best example of the power of Christ to uplift, transform, and regenerate lives. • In fact, he was so filled with the Christ-spirit, so conscious of the saving power of God, that

he healed even the most intractable cases of human suffering and mental darkness. --In one instance, a father came to Jesus, begging that Jesus heal his lunatic son whom the disciples hadn't been able to help.

• As the Bible records it, immediately, Jesus "rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour" (Matt. 17:18). --As Jesus' example proves, the power of Christ is not in words.

• It's the influence of God Himself – God, divine Love, expressing Himself as love. ---God, divine Life, manifesting Himself as life.



SECTION V: Paul, in the custody of Julius, is shipwrecked on Malta on the way to Rome. (Acts 27: 1, 20-22, 41-44) RELATED SCRIPTURE: Ps 107: 22-30TIME LINE AND AUTHOR: The voyage to Rome occurred c. 60 AD. Luke wrote the Acts of the Apostles c. 60-62 AD.

“Along with other prisoners Paul is sent to Rome. He is in the custody of Julius, a centurion of the Augustan [cohort], which was stationed in Caesarea about this time..” (Interpreter’s One-volume Commentary)

“This narrative is the most detailed account of an ancient voyage which we possess, and is our principal source of knowledge of the art of navigation as [practiced] by the ancients.” (Dummelow Commentary)

“The use of the pronoun ‘we’ [v.1] marks the return of Paul’s close friend Luke, who had been absent since 21:18. He had likely been living near Caesarea so he could care for Paul during his imprisonment.” (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

“The disappearance of sun and stars [neither sun nor stars, v.20] leads to loss of hope, since navigation is dependent on them.” (Interpreter’s One-volume Commentary)

Paul[Pawl]

(Abbreviated)After Jesus himself, Paul is the most important figure in the history of Christianity. Although a

Jew, in Tarsus [south central Turkey], an important city of Cilicia, Paul, whose original name was Saul, was born a Roman citizen. He was a tentmaker. All the influences about him from the beginning—Jewish, Greek, Roman—contributed apart from any consciousness or intention on his part to fit him for the work of his life….



In Jerusalem (c. 60 AD)Seized by the Romans

After appearing before the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem, and before Felix and Festus at Cæsarea, he was compelled to protest against injustice and delay (he had been a prisoner fully two years) by exercising his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to the emperor. To the imprisonment belongs the group of letters to Philemon, to the Colossians [Turkey], to the Ephesians [Turkey], and to the Philippians [Greece].

Voyage to Rome (c. 62 AD)“The voyage to Rome is told by an eye-witness (Acts 27:1—28:16).” (Funk & Wagnalls Bible

Dictionary) “Paul’s voyage to Rome was long and perilous, involving storms, shipwrecks, and encounters with enemies.” (People’s NT Commentary)

The Storm“There is now a real danger that they will be blown all the way down to the Syrtis sandbars near

the coast of Cyrene (on the north coast of Africa).” (In the Steps of Paul)The Vision

“Just before dawn Paul urges everyone to eat, speaking again about the promise he has received in a dream from God that not one of them will die and reminding them of his earlier prediction that they would run aground on some island.” (In the Steps of Paul)

The Shipwreck….

Julius the Centurion[Jew’lee us](Lat. name of a Roman clan)

“In the book of Acts, Luke pays a great deal of attention to the pagan Julius, a Roman centurion of an imperial regiment (Acts 27:1).” (All the People in the Bible) Julius was “the centurion of the Augustan cohort, or the emperor's body-guard, in whose charge Paul was sent as a prisoner from Caesarea to Rome. He entreated Paul "courteously," showing in many ways a friendly regard for him.” (Easton Bible Dictionary)

“At Crete he did not believe Paul’s prediction of the coming storm (v. 11), but after the tempest broke he heeded Paul’s advice and kept the sailors from forsaking the ship (v. 31).” (Westminster Dictionary)

“The historicity of Julius’ role is sometimes questioned since it is unlikely that a centurion of an auxiliary cohort would have been given charge over such an important prisoner or would have had such authority over the ship.” (Eerdmans Dictionary)

On the other hand, “Julius belonged to the ‘Imperial Regiment’ and may have been a frumentarius, one of those who supervised the safe passage of the vital grain ships from Alexandria to Rome. This is quite possible, for when they eventually reached Myra [modern Kale, Turkey] (one of the key ports on this grain route) Julius finds an ‘Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy’ (Acts 27:6).” (In the Steps of Paul)

Leishman, Thomas L., “Imprisonment at Caesarea and Voyage to Rome,” THE CONTINUITY OF THE BIBLE: Paul the Missionary Apostle, Journal, Vol. 94 (October 1976), p. 571.

--…by about A.D. 60, Paul set out on his voyage for Rome under the charge of the centurion Julius.



• He was accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian, and perhaps by Luke himself, for Luke writes Acts 27 as one taking part in its events.

---The sailing became dangerous around the southern shore of Crete, “because the fast was now already past” (v.9)—that is, the autumnal equinox, which is usually followed by severe gales.--As the storm continued, Paul encouraged the distraught crew, reporting his revelation that their lives would be spared.

• This proved true in the famous shipwreck off the shore of Melita (Malta). Melitan islanders received the shipwrecked refugees, 276 in all, who made it safely to shore.

---(The islanders’ “barbarous” character need only indicate they were not Greeks.)

Tatum, Julie Campbell, “Shake Off the Viper!,” Sentinel, Vol. 75 (4 August 1973), p. 1341.

--Paul had some turbulent years doing missionary work. Within a very short time his life was saved four times (see Acts, Chaps. 27,28)

1. During a violent storm at sea it looked as though the ship carrying Paul and other prisoners to Rome would surely be wrecked.

2. Sighting an island, they were able to run the ship aground, and although the stern was wrecked, again no lives were lost….

--We’re never safe when we think of ourselves as mortals in a material universe. But, as Paul proved, when we confidently know that we’re God’s perfect, spiritual children, dwelling forever under His care and protection, we’re always safe, no matter what the material evidence may be.--Mrs. Eddy tells us exactly how to defend ourselves from animal magnetism: “Beloved Christian Scientists, keep your minds so filled with Truth and Love, that sin, disease, and death cannot enter them. It is plain that nothing can be added to the mind already full.” [My 210]

Walker, Channing (CS and Contributing Editor; Glendora, CA), “Healing without hope? Sure.,” SENTINEL WATCH, Sentinel, Vol. 105 (15 December 2003), p. 23.

--…the Bible says, “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away” (Acts 27:20).--All hope was taken away.

• Eventually the ship and all its cargo are lost.---But all the people aboard survive.

--So, here is an episode without hope, but not without healing.• In fact, the account overflows with healing, deliverance, reconciliation.

--[These] words echo in my mind: “Science armed with faith, hope, fruition.” [S&H p. 298]• So, I reason, if one ever faced a crisis in which he or she saw no hope, then Science—God’s

law—would be right there.---And that law is invariably equipped with hope.

• Hope is in the arsenal of Science.---So is faith and fruition.

SECTION VI: The persecution of the early church by the high priest and the Sadducees, and Gamaliel’s counsel (Acts 5: 12 [to ;], 17-21, 25, 27, 28 [to ?], 34, 35, 38, 39, 42)RELATED SCRIPTURE: Acts 2: 43; 4: 30; 5: 15. 16; II Cor 11: 24TIME LINE AND AUTHOR: The period of organization of the early church, with its center in Jerusalem 30-37 AD. Written by Luke c. 60-62 AD.

The chapter “picks up on the miraculous dimension of the preceding episode through the emphasis on signs and wonders (5:12)….These healings are performed ‘through the hands of the apostles’ (v.12), a description which evokes the prior request to God to ‘stretch out your hands to heal and perform signs and wonders’ (4:30).” (Eerdmans Commentary)



“The second trial of Peter and John (5:17-40) begins with their re-arrest and detention (vv.17-18).

“The council takes Gamaliel’s advice, but not without reservations [vv.40-42]; the apostles are beaten with the traditional ‘forty lashes less one’ (II Cor 11:24) and charged to keep silent.” (Interpreter’s One-volume Commentary)

“the high priest”

"The priest was an important figure in Israelite religion, a member of a specific family. The mediator between the people and God, he served in the sanctuary and acted as a buffer between the profane world of everyday life and the holiness of God." (Complete Bible Handbook)

“In the New Testament, ‘priests’ (including chief priests and high priests) are often associated with the scribes.” (Women in the New Testament)

“In the distribution of ritual responsibilities codified in P, on the basis of degrees of holiness, only the high priest, whose degree of holiness as a person was supreme, could enter the holy of holies, the innermost part of the Temple building and the place whose degree of spatial holiness was the highest, for the rites to be performed there on the Day of Atonement.” (Oxford Guide to People & Places)

“The high priest was always the president of the Sanhedrin.” (Dictionary of NT Background)

Sadducees[Sad’u seas](Gk. “followers of Zadok”)

(Abbreviated)"By New Testament times the Jerusalem Temple had been taken over by the Sadducees,

perhaps so-called because they claimed descent from Zadok, chief priest under David and Solomon (2 Sam 8:17; I Kgs. 2:35)." (Bible Handbook) The Sadducees were a Jewish politico-religious party, holding the highest offices in church and state, and were in opposition to the Pharisees. “They were prepared to compromise, for the sake of peace, with the Roman occupation forces, and consequently they frowned on the passive resistance of the Pharisees and on the aggressive nationalism of the Zealot freedom fighters. In return, they were allowed by the Romans to retain their power in the Temple and in the Supreme Council, the Sanhedrin, and they guarded their position zealously. Indeed, the office of the high priest was the appointment of Rome—much to the shame of the Jews.” (Who’s Who in the New Testament)….

“The Sadducees hardly appear in the NT. They are absent from Paul’s letters….Only Luke-Acts offers a nuanced portrait. In Acts 4:1; 5:17 the author indicates that the high priest and temple authorities were Sadducees.” (Eerdmans Dictionary)…Following the Pharisees’ question about the primary commandment, the Sadducees put their question about the resurrection. They probably hoped to ridicule both Jesus and the Pharisees by this story, for they did not believe in any resurrection.

"Once they lost their cultic function as a result of the destruction of the Temple in 70 [AD] they ceased to exist as a group as a result. This may reflect the extent to which they had lost popular support.” (Oxford Guide to People & Places)

Gamaliel[Guh may’lee uhl] (“reward of God”)



Gamaliel was the “son of rabbi Simeon, and grandson of the famous rabbi Hillel. He was a Pharisee, and therefore the opponent of the party of the Sadducees. He was noted for his learning, and was president of the Sanhedrim during the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, and died, it is said, about eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem.” (Easton Bible Commentary)

“When the apostles were brought before the council, charged with preaching the resurrection of Jesus, as a zealous Pharisee Gamaliel counseled moderation and calmness. By a reference to well-known events, he advised them to ‘refrain from these men.’ If their work or counsel was of man, it would come to nothing; but if it was of God, they could not destroy it, and therefore ought to be on their guard lest they should be ‘found fighting against God’ (Acts 5:34-40). Paul was one of his disciples (22:3). “ (Ibid)

“Gamaliel’s vital dates are not known, but he flourished in 20-50 [AD].” (All the People of the Bible)

Clarkson, Judge Joseph R. (CS and Lecturer), “Christian Science,” LECTURE, Journal, Vol. 17 (January 1900), p. 671.

--The disciples certainly understood that their preaching must be emphasized by demonstration of God's power and presence; that they must confirm the word with signs and wonders following.--Because signs and wonders attended them, after them, as after Jesus, the people flocked.

• They were persecuted, as he had been, because of miracles performed. Following upon the healing of the man lame from his mother's womb, when exception to Peter's and John's healing and preaching had been taken by the chief priests and elders, and the announcement made that, though a notable miracle had been done, nevertheless such work should proceed no further, this prayer was offered by the Christians: "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus."

---In the building up of the early Christian Church, the main inciting cause, which fairly impelled to an adoption of the faith, was the performance of miracles, marvels, signs, and wonders, by those who professed to be exponents of the new religion.

Leishman, Thomas L., “The Priestly Code—“P,” THE CONTINUITY OF THE BIBLE, Journal, Vol. 88 (July 1970), p. 369.

--The last of the four chief sources of the Pentateuch, commonly termed “P” to represent the “Priestly Code,” appears to date, in its finished form, from about 500 B.C.--In spite of the difficulties associated with the Exile, the writers and editors of the day apparently were working to complete the code of laws, which they saw as governing the whole life and activity of the nation, to be ready for use when at length the people would be allowed to return to Jerusalem, as was confidently expected by their spiritual leaders.--The central point of this law was visualized as being associated with the temple, its worship and its sacrifices.

• The national power of the people had been destroyed, and it seemed as though their only hope was to replace political power with a strong religious entity, governed by the priests.

Kelly, Vera Sohr, “During a trial,” POEM, Sentinel, Vol. 90 (8 August 1988), p. 6.

Dear God, I hold Thy handand will not let it go.This much I understand.


http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=ac+22:3

http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=ac+5:34-40


This much I know.

I place myself in Theethrough Christ, the only Way.This much my heart can see,accept, obey.

Thy truth is holding me.It cannot let me go.Thy hand is harmony.This much I know.

The test I seem to faceis strengthening my gripand quickening my praiseeach healing step.

Darcy, Louise S., “Gamaliel and the Apostles,” POEM, Journal, Vol. 71 (October 1953), p. 533.

Gamaliel had a prescience of the truth.A reputable man, he rose up thereAnd warned the council forcefully,Telling the gathered men they should take careConcerning the apostles. If their workShould be of men, he said, it would not last;But if the counsel were of God, no oneCould overthrow it, for it would stand fast.As in Gamaliel’s day, what God has wroughtCannot be overthrown by mortal man.Invulnerable, Life, Truth, and Love remain,For God, omnipotent, sustains His plan.

Mosley, J. R., “Reply to a Review of Judge Ewing's Lecture,” SELECTED ARTICLES, Sentinel, Vol. 4 (13 February 1902), p. 375 [In the Macon (Ga.) News.]

--…”Ye shall know them by their fruits;" and Christian Scientists are ready and willing to be known by this test.

• While they do not claim to have already attained to anything like perfection, and while they frankly and humbly acknowledge their failures and limitations, they are following to the best of their understanding, the commandment of Jesus to heal the sick as well as to preach the Gospel; and they are earnestly working and praying for more of the "fruit of the Spirit" and for "the Mind of Christ;" and those who would hinder their ministry of Christian healing, comfort, reformation, and regeneration, should at least ponder well the wise counsel that Gamaliel gave to those who "were filled with indignation" because the early Christians healed as well as preached in Christ's name (Acts, 5 :38, 39); and let them also remember that there are things which are hid "from the wise and prudent" that are "revealed unto babes;" and that only those who do the healing and redemptive work of Christian Science are competent to expound its doctrines.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

The Bibliography is provided only in the notes of the first Sunday of the month.CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html

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*The weekly Bible Lessons are made up of selections from the King James Version of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.


Documents

format · Web viewMatthew uses the word “lunatic” because epileptics were supposed to be affected by the changes of the moon (luna). “The first half of the…story focuses