Snoopy Approaches Acts

[BetteTheRed]

@BetteTheRed is part of a successful, ongoing bible study in her congregation. Maybe I will ask her if she has any tips for growing such a group.

I enjoy participating in bible studies, but I don't enjoy discussions with AI, hence my withdrawal from this discussion. I had a kid at work honestly suggest to me that chat gpt would be capable of watching a 40 minute Walter Brueggemann video and coming up with good discussion questions for me. I don't think AI can cope with the sheer denseness of Brueggemann, lol.

Our real life bible study is a very old tradition, which we inherited from a UCC congregation that closed. So we have a long-standing group of members, we are very open to other traditions - our current configuration has a Christian Reformed member, and until recently, we had a Catholic lady. For a while last year, we had a member who was a recent convert from Islam. Also we are blessed with ministry resources - the bible study has a rotation of 4 leaders (minister, minister emeritus and two VAMs). Until a couple of years ago, we had seven leaders (2 more VAMS, one now dead and one fully retired, and a LLWL, who has moved). If all else fails, which it does occasionally, my friend Nancy or I can always lead it. We also invite friends to join us, so we stay at a stable 10-15 number.

 

[paradox3]

Wow, that sounds amazing! @BetteTheRed

 

[paradox3]

Acts 17:16-21

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 17:16-21 - New English Translation

Paul at Athens - While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was greatly upset because he saw the city was full of idols. So he was addressing the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles in the synagogue, and in the marketplace every day those who happened to be there. Also some of the...

www.biblegateway.com

As Paul waits for the others in Athens, his spirit is upset because the city is full of idols.

He addresses the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles in the synagogue. Every day in the marketplace, he addresses those who happn to be present.

Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers converse with him. Some wonder what the "foolish babbler" wants to say. Others think he is a "proclaimers of foreign gods".

They take him to the Areopagus (council) and ask him about his new teaching because he is saying some surprising things. The Athenians and foreigners who live there spend their time telling and listening to new things.

 

[paradox3]

Paul has arrived in a place that is curious about his proclamations. Here we find idol worshippers, Jews, God-fearing Gentiles and Greek philosophers.

What kind of reception will his ideas receive? Stay tuned for tomorrow's reading.

 

[unsafe]

We see today that Paul is in Athens and waiting for Timothy and Silas to join him -----but as he awaits his Spirit is is angered as he witnesses the city is full of idols -----and feels that he must speak up about it right away and not wait for the other 2 -----

So we see Paul here is faced with a big challenge in Athens ----God forbids idol worship ----

We see this happening today as well ------In the Catholic Church for instance ----they still have statues of Mary that they bow to her and they also still pray to the Saints ---and some Catholic Churches have statutes of the Saints in their church -----

No matter how you slice it this is Idolatry --Folks

From Google
Do Catholic churches have statues of Mary?
In many American Catholic churches, an image of Mary stands prominent within the sanctuary

From Google
Why do Catholics pray to saints if only God is omniscient?
You may have chosen someone you could trust, or someone who understood your problem, or someone who was close to God.

Scripture clearly states you are not to consult the dead ---it is a grave sin
Deuteronomy !8:10-12 -----

I say -----So in verse 17 we see a desperate Paul going to work to try and reason with these people here in Athens ----

17 So he had discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place day after day with any who happened to be there

Notice ---Paul went wherever he could share the Gospel --he went where people were --

We see that some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers started to engage in conversation with Paul ---they were curious as to what Paul was speaking about ---------some said he is a
proclaimer of some strange deities -----as he was preaching the Good News about Jesus Christ

From Google
How many idols were in Athens when Paul was there?
Athens had been called the “junkyard of idols.” We know from secular history that about that time they estimated that there were about 30,000 gods in the city of Athens.

I say ------WOW!

Who were these Stoic philosophers who were interested in hearing what Paul had to say and what did they believe --------

From Google
Who were the Stoics in Acts?

The other group that took notice of Paul were the Stoics. Their philosophy was in many ways antithetical to the Epicureans'. They were pantheistic fatalists—they believed everything is god, and everything happens because god wills it. In contrast to the Epicureans, they were strongly humanitarian.

I say
They took Paul to Areopagus and wanted to know what these strange teachings were that Paul was proclaiming

Interesting read on this place ===read all for yourselves if interested

What was the Areopagus? | GotQuestions.org

What was the Areopagus? Why is the Areopagus in Athens mentioned in Acts chapter 17?

www.gotquestions.org

Northwest of the city of Athens, Greece, is a small hill covered in stone seats. This area was once used as a forum for the rulers of Athens to hold trials, debate, and discuss important matters. This location was called Areopagus, a combination of the Greek words for “god of war” and “stone”: the Areopagus is literally “Ares’ Rock.” The equivalent to Ares in Roman mythology is Mars. By the time of Paul and the early Christian church, this location was under Roman control, so the spot was known as Mars Hill.


I say ------So they told Paul they were interested in hearing what he had to say ----

So Paul at least had their attention and seemed like they were open to hearing the Gospel -----
and apparently this was a place where these people went to hear and listen to new ideas -----

verse 21 AMP

21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

As Maggie Muggins use to say ------

"I don't know what will happen tomorrow".

 

[unsafe]

The Anglican Church and the Catholic Church have prayer beads ---they say it is to help them pray and they are not viewed as idols ----but is that really true ??????

Did Jesus ever pray to His Father by using Prayer beads ----are Prayer beads ever mentioned in the Bible at all ----these in my view are made up gimmicks by these Religions giving False hope to people -

 

[paradox3]

The Anglican Church and the Catholic Church have prayer beads ---they say it is to help them pray and they are not viewed as idols ----but is that really true ??????

I would say it is true. Rosaries are used as a tool for prayer. I don't consider them idols.

However, I suppose anything has the potential to become an idol.

What about relics (body parts of saints) buried in Catholic churches? Statues? We could have an interesting conversation about these things.

Did Jesus ever pray to His Father by using Prayer beads ----are Prayer beads ever mentioned in the Bible at all

Nope.
But we should probably keep in mind that the bible predates many of our Christian traditions. All of our creeds. Infant baptism. Church music and architecture. And so on.

----these in my view are made up gimmicks by these Religions giving False hope to people -

I don't know anything about the history of the rosary. But I am aware changes have been made to it over the years.

Sometimes priests would assign so many "decades" of the rosary as penance. Maybe they still do. I wonder how Catholics feel about this?

It would produce a very ritualized style of prayer, I would think. Does praying the rosary become similar to a chant? Can it produce a trance-like state?

Interesting to consider

 

[unsafe]

Sometimes priests would assign so many "decades" of the rosary as penance. Maybe they still do. I wonder how Catholics feel about this?

WOW ! never hear of that ---that is interesting ---

AI


Catholics still use decades of the rosary as a form of penance
, though the practice is not mandatory and is often prescribed by priests as a spiritual exercise after the Sacrament of Penance. A decade of the rosary, consisting of one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be while meditating on a mystery, is a common assigned penance. The purpose of this penance is not punishment but to encourage spiritual growth and meditation on past sins.

I say -----Well this last sentence here -----definitely is giving false Hope to the person on Spiritual Growth -----

And Scripture never tells people to meditate on past sins -----


How decades of the rosary are used as penance:

• After Confession:A priest may assign a decade, or more, of the rosary as a penance after the sacrament of confession.
• Specific Devotions:Certain devotions, like the Five First Saturdays Devotion requested by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, explicitly include the recitation of five decades of the rosary as a required act of reparation.
• Personal Devotion:Catholics may also choose to say a decade of the rosary as a personal act of penance or devotion, to draw closer to God and to offer up their prayer for a specific intention.

I would class this as using the beads in committing Idolatry ----no bead can draw you closer to God ----God has to Draws the person Himself first and the person must accept His Draw to be closer to God ---

Religions make up their own False Doctrine --crazy ----

I say ---this is like going back to the law where the person is burdened and shackled to a repetitive ritual ---apparently there is a 5 and 10 decades of penance the Priest can give the person --

Just glad I follow the Way ---and not any Religion

 

[paradox3]

Offering up rosary prayers for a specific intention seems odd to me. Why wouldn't you just pray about whatever is on your mind?

But it's not my tradition. So I dunno.

 

[GordW]

The Anglican Church and the Catholic Church have prayer beads ---they say it is to help them pray and they are not viewed as idols ----but is that really true ??????

THey are a meditative tool to help in the act of prayer, they are not being prayed TO, which is the big difference. Idolatry is placing something else where God should be (and has been argued that all sinfulnesss in the end flows from some form of idolatry).

A very similar discussion has taken place over the Christian era about Icons and religious art (especially religious art portraying humans) in general.

 

[unsafe]

THey are a meditative tool to help in the act of prayer, they are not being prayed TO, which is the big difference. Idolatry is placing something else where God should be

From Google
In a biblical context, to "idolize" means to worship or treat something as though it were God, giving ultimate devotion, reverence, or trust to a creature, object, or concept instead of the one true Creator. This misplaced devotion can manifest as worshipping physical statues or engaging in excessive reverence for abstract things like power, money, pleasure, or even other people.

I think maybe Prayer beads would fall into this category ------they are using the Prayer bead to get closer to God ----that would be reverencing the bead to get you close to God ---would it not ----you would have to believe that by handling the beads and saying the ritual prayer that would help you get closer to God ----so you are in fact relying on the bead to bring you closer to God ----your not relying on God to draw you closer ---your replacing God with the bead -----

that is the way I see it -----

 

[paradox3]

Acts 17: 22-34

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 17:22-34 - New English Translation

So Paul stood before the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. For as I went around and observed closely your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown god.’ Therefore what you worship without knowing it, this...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul stands before the Areopagus (council) to make a proclamation.

He has closely observed the objects of worship in Athens and he declares that God does not live in temples made by human hands.

God gives life and breath to everyone. People are meant to search for God and find God. Perhaps we grope around but God is not far from each of us. In God we live and move and have our being.

God commands us to repent because he has set a date to judge the world in righteousness. One man has been designated and the proof provided by the resurrection.

Some scoff at this but others believe.

 

[paradox3]

A stirring speech by Paul!

We search for God but God is not far away. How great is that?

 

[unsafe]

So Paul stands in the middle of the Areopagus and gives a speech ----Now Paul would have some knowledge of Greek literature ---wouldn't he ---as he was with the Romans for quite sometime -----

So see how he uses the altar of the Unknown god that these people have erected ----to introduce the God of Israel -----apparently if you research this altar it was put there to acknowledge any god that these people might have left out ----and Paul takes advantage of it --

Notice here how he uses a positive note to start his speech -----he tells them that they are a very religious group and devout in all respects----- then he goes to the Unknown god Altar and proclaims to them the God who created all things and is the Lord of heaven and earth and tells them that this God does not dwell in man made Temples -----

I say ------So how did this Altar come into being -----You can read about it here ---if your interested

The Origin of an Altar – An Investigation into the History of Athens

Part four in a series on evangelism. In With Boldness With Clarity, we briefly looked at Acts xvii, the sermon Paul preached to the Athenians. Paul started his presentation of the gospel by talking…

www.writtenlives.ca

May 28, 2018 by Quiana

The Origin of an Altar – An Investigation into the History of Athens​

Part four in a series on evangelism.
We do not find the answer to this question in the bible, but it is recorded in history!
A Plague, A Philosopher, and an Altar

I say ----Paul realized that these Philosophers have to have a heart and mind change ----they had to move from what they intellectually understood about their version of what and who their gods are to understanding the God he was portraying to them ------

He explains that this God is not served by humans hands as though He needs something from them as this God gives life and breath and all things to us ---in other words ---It is Us who need God --not God needing us -------
-Paul tells the that through one man God created Nations to live on this earth at an appointed time ----and He determined the boundaries of their land and territories ------Paul says this was so people could ------Seek ---(find our about Him ) as He is not far from us seeking him -----

From Strong's Concordance----- to seek (i. e. in order to find out) by thinking, meditating, reasoning; to inquire into: Acts 17:27 ------

I say -----Paul tells them that it is in Him that we live and move and exist ------he tells them Verse 29 -----that we should not think that the Divine Nature (deity) is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination or skill of man --

Here he is addressing their Idolatry ------and their ignorance of not knowing about the one true God ----

Now here---I say ------ Paul is giving them the hard cold facts ----AMP

Verse 30 -----that God overlooked and disregarded the former ages of ignorance; but now He commands all people everywhere to repent [that is, to change their old way of thinking, to regret their past sins, and to seek God’s purpose for their lives],

31 because He has set a day when He will judge the inhabited world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed and destined for that task, and He has provided credible proof to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

I say ------This is Hard teaching he is putting out to these people ----and it can be hard to swallow I am sure ----and this is what needs to be taught today and Isn't ----sad to say -----

Not only is he Pushing that people today need to Repent ----He is telling them of a future Judgment that is coming down the pipe --Folks ----so lets hope these people get it ---cause many today do not -----they think it is a bunch of Spooky Pooky lies -----and reject the idea ----

OH-OH ----Now we see how some React ----at hearing He rose from the dead -----Mockery ---and Sneering ----well this probably was a hard pill for some to swallow I am sure ----but little do they know or understand what God says ===

Galatians 6:7AMP
Amplified Bible
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.

So Maybe God will be gracious with these some ignorant people ------who knows -----

Some do tell Paul they will hear more about this again ---and Paul leaves ----and he has some who join him ----Verse 34 AMP

34 But some men joined him and believed; among them were Dionysius, [a judge] of the Council of Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

So for Paul not all is a bust ---and he has planted God's Seed in them which will give them something to ponder over -----and some join him -----

So God is working to grow His Church --it is a hard go in some Places for Paul and the others but they never give up ----they keep on Preaching the Good News in persecution and chaos --
Don't see that today Folks

 

[paradox3]

This speech of Paul's is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

 

[unsafe]

This speech of Paul's is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

Ya --He is calling a Spade ---A Spade Here---- no sugarcoating --no half Truths ----and no holding back -----Have to love it ---when you hear Preaching like that the people know exactly where they stand -----

 

[paradox3]

Acts 18:1-11

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 18:1-11 - New English Translation

Paul at Corinth - After this Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome. Paul approached them, and because he worked...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul arrives in Corinth where he will remain for a year and a half.

There he finds Aquila and his wife Priscilla, Jews who have been ordered out of Rome. Paul stays with them and joins them in their shared trade of tentmaking. He speaks in the synagogue every Sabbath.

Silas and Timothy arrive from Macedonia and Paul is able to devote himself full time to preaching. Paul becomes frustrated with the Jews and turns his attention to the Gentiles.

He moves in with Titus Justus, a Gentile believer whose house is next door to the synagogue.

Crispus, the president of the synagogue, comes to believe along with his whole household. Many Corinthians believe and are baptized.

The Lord tells Paul in a vision in the night not to be afraid. Paul is to speak and not stay silent.

 

[paradox3]

It's tough slogging but Paul makes progress with the Corinthians. He has a vision in the night and God encourages him to carry on.

Paul becomes frustrated with the Jews and shakes the dust out of his clothes symbolically. We have previously read about shaking the dust off one's sandals.

Jesus advised this, too. Sometimes we just need to move on and try something a new way.

 

[unsafe]

It's tough slogging but Paul makes progress with the Corinthians. He has a vision in the night and God encourages him to carry on.

Paul becomes frustrated with the Jews and shakes the dust out of his clothes symbolically. We have previously read about shaking the dust off one's sandals.

Jesus advised this, too. Sometimes we just need to move on and try something a new way.

This is so true ----and is the same today ----instead of taking Offence at being rejected when trying to tell people that their eternal life is at stake in what choices they make -----if they don't want to listen -- just allow the dust to be shaken off ---and go on your merry eternal life way -----

 

[unsafe]

Today Paul arrives in Corint -----this city has a long History of sexual immortality

meaning of Greek word korinthiazomai

From Google
What does Korinthiazomai mean?

Verb. κορινθιάζομαι • (korinthiázomai) (literal) to act like a person from the city-state of Corinth. (vulgar) to consort with prostitutes, since Corinth was famous in antiquity for its prostitutes.

I say ----So this was again a up hill climb for Paul to Preach God's word to this Crowd -----but i don't think Paul never thought that where he went to preach the Good News would be easy -----

Paul meets a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife, Priscilla and Paul goes to visit them and stayed with them and being that Paul was a tent maker he worked with them in that trade ----

Verse 4 AMP
he reasoned and debated in the synagogue every Sabbath, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks;

Silas and Timothy arrive and Paul then focuses on preaching and solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah ----But they were having none of it -----they opposed him at every turn ----

So ------verse 6-------he shook out his robe and said to them, “Your blood (damnation) be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.

I say -------Paul calling a Spade A Spade here for sure ---and he Preached first to the Jews who reject Jesus as the Messiah and now carries on to preach to the Gentiles ----

So Now Paul goes to the house of a man named Titius Justus, who was a Gentile worshiped God and lived next to the synagogue ---- the leader of the synagogue,was a Jewish man called Crispus he and his household believed that Jesus was the Messiah and there were other Corinthians who heard Paul's message about Christ and believed and were Baptised ----

So we see in the last verses that Paul one night had a vision From God and was told not to be afraid --he was to carry on Preaching the Gospel of Salvation and God would protect him from harm -----so Paul stayed for a year and six months there in Corinth and faithfully obeyed God and Preached the Gospel of Salvation through the Faith of Christ ------

My view here on why God tells Paul not to be afraid

So God tells Paul not to be afraid -----so God knows our heart and Paul must have been anxious in his heart about how the Jews were responding to his message ---and he was probably fearful that they would try and plot harm against him as they had been doing in many places ----God came to him to calm his nerves and to let him know that He is with him and no one will silence what God wants known to His Creation -----His Will ---Will be executed and have Success and no harm will come to the ONE who is doing His will ---which is to Preach the Gospel of Salvation -----

How great is that Folks -----God will never leave nor forsake His Children ---