The Servant Messiah 28
Into All The World Acts 1:8 Acts 9:1-6 I Corinthians 13
Messiah gave the disciples a very special command: "You are witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." Jerusalm was the danger spot but the mission must begin here. Messiah had laid the groundwork with his healing and teaching.Those who heard his voice and felt his compassion would be ready believers. Many of the Pharisees would now beliieve. There of course would be opposition. One of the believers named Stephen would be stoned to death. One of the Twelve, James would be martyred.. They would not back down, they would establish the new Kingdom in Jerusalem and Judea.
They must go into Samaria. Messiah knew the prejudices for the people in this little pocket of land in Galilee. These people were rejected because they had intermarried with the oppressor. There were a few believers already there: a woman at the well. They would not hesitate to go into Samaria. Because they were Jews they may not be fully welcomed. They did not forget Samaria. They would not forget other similar "Samarias" in later years.
A special envoy was called for the mission to the Gentiles. He was a Pharisee, a Rabbi, a persecuter of the early believers. He was present at the stoning of Stephen. He was on his way to Damacus for more persecution when he met the Christ in a spectacular vision. He heard the Master’s voice: "Why persecute me?" His eyes were blinded. Even after his sight was restored his eyes were never the same. He had to have different ones of his helpers write his letters to the churches.
The Apostle Paul received and understood the compassion of the Messiah. He made a special effort to help the Judaizers see the truth When they became believers, they could not give up the Ten Commandments. They wanted the early Christians to obey them. The law was not the Master’s way. The law had brought his crucifixion.. The law must go and love must replace it. In all of his letters to the churches he stressed the spirit of love. The former Pharisee understood. Compassion must prevail.
Messiah gave the disciples a very special command: "You are witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." Jerusalm was the danger spot but the mission must begin here. Messiah had laid the groundwork with his healing and teaching.Those who heard his voice and felt his compassion would be ready believers. Many of the Pharisees would now beliieve. There of course would be opposition. One of the believers named Stephen would be stoned to death. One of the Twelve, James would be martyred.. They would not back down, they would establish the new Kingdom in Jerusalem and Judea.
They must go into Samaria. Messiah knew the prejudices for the people in this little pocket of land in Galilee. These people were rejected because they had intermarried with the oppressor. There were a few believers already there: a woman at the well. They would not hesitate to go into Samaria. Because they were Jews they may not be fully welcomed. They did not forget Samaria. They would not forget other similar "Samarias" in later years.
A special envoy was called for the mission to the Gentiles. He was a Pharisee, a Rabbi, a persecuter of the early believers. He was present at the stoning of Stephen. He was on his way to Damacus for more persecution when he met the Christ in a spectacular vision. He heard the Master’s voice: "Why persecute me?" His eyes were blinded. Even after his sight was restored his eyes were never the same. He had to have different ones of his helpers write his letters to the churches.
The Apostle Paul received and understood the compassion of the Messiah. He made a special effort to help the Judaizers see the truth When they became believers, they could not give up the Ten Commandments. They wanted the early Christians to obey them. The law was not the Master’s way. The law had brought his crucifixion.. The law must go and love must replace it. In all of his letters to the churches he stressed the spirit of love. The former Pharisee understood. Compassion must prevail.
posted by Dr. James F. Hubbard at 4:22 PM
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