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BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Corinthians 16

February 27, 2020February 23, 2020 by atozmom, posted in BSF Acts 2019/2020

Summary of 1 Corinthians 16:

Give to God’s people (Jerusalem). Paul says he will try to come to them in person and if Timothy comes make him welcome and have nothing to fear for he is doing the work of the Lord. Apollos will come shortly as well.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous and strong. Do everything in love.

Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (bearers of the letter we’re reading) should be recognized for their service.

Grace and love to all.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Corinthians 16

12) Personal Question. My answer: Truthfully, not a whole lot here besides how Paul let Timothy go where God led him. Where God leads, you follow.

13) Personal Question. My answer: None, right now. I always need help from God to stand firm.

14) Personal Question. My answer: Give more money to charity.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Corinthians 16

I love the idea of giving as you are led and not to feel pressured to give. I personally didn’t get much out of the questions. I feel unhelpful to you all today.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Corinthians 16

Now concerning is used again in this letter (see also 1 Corinthians 7:1, 8:1, and 12:1). It means Paul is replying to something the Corinthian Christians asked about.

Paul refers to a collection he gathered for the saints in Jerusalem. In several other passages it speaks of this effort among many different churches to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-30, 24:17, Romans 15: 26, 2 Corinthians 8:13, 9:9-12).

Why was the church in Jerusalem so needy? There may be many reasons. We know they supported a large number of widows (Acts 6:1-6) and were in the midst of famine (Acts 11:27-30).

Helping the Poor According to the Bible

Benevolence distribution is a potential source of conflict and division, and it is the job of deacons to prevent such problems by their wise, Spirit-led actions (Acts 6:1-7).
The church has an obligation to help the truly needy (James 1:27).
The church must discern who the truly needy are (1 Timothy 5:3).
If one can work to support himself, he is not truly needy and must provide for his own needs (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:11).
If one can be supported by their family, he is not truly needy and should not be supported by the church (1 Timothy 5:3-4).
Those who are supported by the church must make some return to the church body (1 Timothy 5:5, 5:10).
It is right for the church to examine moral conduct before giving support (1 Timothy 5:9-13).
The support of the church should be for the most basic necessities of living (1 Timothy 6:8).

The Corinthians were commanded to take an offering, but not every Christian was commanded to individually give. They had to give as God put it on their heart to give.

They were not against meeting on the Sabbath; they just knew that all days were alike to the Lord (Colossians 2:16-17), and wanted to celebrate the day Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24:1).

Every Christian should be a giver, because God is a giver (John 3:16).

You should seek God about your gift at home, and prepare it at home. This makes one seek the Lord more in their giving, and helps them resist any manipulation to give.

Believers who have more should give more. We should give proportionately; that is, if you give $10 a week when you make $100 a week, you should give more money when you make more money.

Paul didn’t want to manipulate anyone! He wanted giving from the heart, as each heart heard from God, and not in response to a high-pressure fund-raising program.

Paul calls giving a charis – a grace, a gift freely given. Paul calls it a grace, “because it flowed from their free love towards their poor brethren… or because their sense of the free love and grace of God to them, was that which moved them to that charitable act.” (Poole)

Sometimes Paul called giving a koinonia, which means “fellowship, sharing” (2 Corinthians 8:4, 9:13, Romans 15:26).

Sometimes Paul called giving a diakonia, which means “a practical service or ministry” (2 Corinthians 8:4, 9:1, 9:12-13).

Paul leaves all his plans up to the will of the Lord. He planned to go through the region of Macedonia, visiting Corinth. But things happened differently than he planned. Instead, Paul made a soon, painful visit to Corinth to personally confront them in some areas.

Paul asks the Corinthian Christians to respect Timothy when he comes.

This echoes Paul’s later words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12. Apparently, Timothy suffered from both a lack of confidence and a lack of respect. It was important for God’s people to not take advantage of this in Timothy, and it was important for Timothy to never give others reason to despise him.

Wherever Timothy was, he was on his way to see Paul, and would probably stop in Corinth on the way.

Christians are to be like strong soldiers, on guard, watching for their Lord’s return.

Jesus commanded us to watch (Matthew 24:42, 26:41, Mark 13:37).

Paul warned Christians to stand fast in their liberty in Jesus (Galatians 5:1), in Christian unity (Philippians 1:27), in the Lord Himself (Philippians 4:1), and in the teaching of the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

Fun Fact: This is the only place in the New Testament where the word translated be brave is used (andrizomai). Literally, it means, “to act like a man.” Be brave in the King James Version is quit you like men. That is a good, accurate translation of the idea behind the ancient Greek word.

Christians are told to be strong in passages like Ephesians 6:10 and 2 Timothy 2:1.

These were the three men who brought the questions of the Corinthian Christians to Paul. As Paul sends them back with this letter, Paul asked that they be received as devoted servants of the Lord.

Stephanas was the head of the household, and Fortunatus and Achaicus were two household slaves of his, who accompanied him on his visit to Paul. Fortunatus and Achaicus were common names for slaves or freedmen (former slaves).

Aquilla and Priscilla were a married couple who ministered with Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:1-3, 18:24-28). Now they were in Ephesus with Paul and sent their greetings to the Corinthian Christians.

Jewish custom and early church tradition indicate that the holy kiss was a common greeting in that culture.

Paul had a secretary write the letters as he dictated them. Often he added a personal note at the end in his own handwriting

Marana tha is Aramaic for O Lord, come! This was one of the earliest words of the Christian vocabulary.

Paul’s final word (before the Amen) is Jesus. He has emphasized Jesus from beginning to end in this letter.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

February 26, 2020February 23, 2020 by atozmom, posted in BSF Acts 2019/2020

Summary of 1 Corinthians 15:35-58:

Pauld answers the question about what kind of body the raised dead will have. God gives us a body. Paul says there are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. All flesh is not the same. God gives each seed its own body. The body on earth is perishable. It will be raised imperishable. It is in dishonor but raised in glory. It is weak but will be powerful. It is natural but will be spiritual. We will bear the likeness of a man from Heaven when resurrected.

The body will be changed as flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Death will end when the mortal become immortal. Jesus will conquer death!

Stand firm and allow nothing to move you. Do the work of the Lord because you know it is not in vain.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

9) Imperishable, glory, power, spiritual, the bodies will be changed.

10) Personal Question. My answer: His ultimate plan is for us to be with Him, which is why we are given new bodies because flesh and blood cannot be with God. God has a plan, as always.

11) Personal Question. My answer: I’m pretty sure we’ve answered this one before. Gives me faith and hope to fight the daily fight.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

It’s cool to think how our bodies will appear in the afterlife.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

God raises the dead is the simple answer here, but Paul elaborates.

“Foolish one” is the correct translation here.

Paul says our bodies are like “seeds” which “grow” into resurrection bodies. When you bury the body of a believer, you are “sowing” a “seed” that will come out of the earth as a resurrection body.

Even though our resurrection bodies come from our present bodies, we should not expect that they will be the same bodies or just “improved” bodies.

There are all different kinds of “bodies” in God’s creation, including celestial bodies. Our resurrection body will be a heavenly (celestial) body, suited for life in heaven, not only life on this earth.

While our present bodies are adapted for the environment of time and earth, our resurrection bodies will be adapted for the environment of eternity and heaven.

Our resurrection body will be glorious!

“Three glimpses of the body’s glory were seen, in Moses’ face, in Christ’s transfiguration, and in Stephen’s countenance.” (Trapp)

The first perfect man, Adam, gave us one kind of body. The second perfect man, Jesus the last Adam, can give us another kind of body. He is a life-giving spirit.

The resurrection body of Jesus was material and could eat (Luke 24:39-43), yet it was not bound by the laws of nature (Luke 24:31, 24:36-37).

Since sleep is a softer way of describing the death of a believer, Paul tells us that not all Christians will die, but there will be a “final generation” who will be transformed into resurrection bodies at the return of Jesus before they ever face death.

The remarkable, instant gathering of Christians unto Jesus in the clouds has been called the rapture, after the Latin word for caught up in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.

There will come a day when in God’s eternal plan, He gives those dead in the Lord their resurrection bodies, and then in an instant He gathers all His people to meet Jesus in the air. All the redeemed on the earth at that time will rise up to meet the Lord in the clouds, and will receive their resurrection bodies.

Either the present dead in Christ are with the Lord in a spiritual body, awaiting their final resurrection body; or because of the nature of timeless eternity, they have received their resurrection bodies already because they live in the eternal “now.”

The Last Trumpet

Scholars disagree on what is the last trumpet.

Those who believe that Jesus gathers His people after He has poured out His wrath on a Jesus-rejecting world sometimes argue that it is the last trumpet of judgment, cited in Revelation 11:15-19.

The last trumpet may not refer to the last trumpet of the seven trumpets of Revelation at all, but simply refer to the last trumpet believers hear on this earth.
This last trumpet may be connected with the trumpet of God in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, but not with the trumpets of angels in Revelation 11. A distinction may be made between the trumpet of an angel and the trumpet of God. Chuck Smith points to a grammatical construction that would be different if this trumpet were the trumpet of Revelation 11.
Ironside says that the last trumpet was a figure of speech that came from the Roman military, when they broke camp. The first trumpet meant, “strike the tents and prepare to leave”; the second trumpet meant, “fall into line”; the third and last trumpet meant “march away.” This last trumpet describes the Christian’s “marching orders” at the rapture of the Church.

Death is defeated by resurrection. Death has no power over the person found in Jesus Christ.

The principle of resurrection also proves that we are not under the law any longer. We are no longer subject to the penalty of the law (death), and we are set free from sin. Sin is the ultimate cause of death (Romans 6:23, Genesis 2:17), and the result can’t be defeated unless the cause is defeated.

Paul brilliantly links together the ideas of sin, death, and our identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection in Romans 6:1-14.

The defeat of death is only possible for those who live through our Lord Jesus Christ. For others, there is resurrection and eternal life, but unto damnation. If you are an unbeliever, death is not your friend; it is your enemy.

Because we know death is defeated and we have an eternal, resurrected destiny with Jesus Christ, we should stand firm and unshakable all the more for Him right now. We should work hard in everything now, working for the Lord, because right now counts forever!

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

February 25, 2020February 23, 2020 by atozmom, posted in BSF Acts 2019/2020

Summary of 1 Corinthians 15:12-34:

Some Corinthians did not believe in the resurrection of the dead which means their preaching is useless and faithless if so. They would be a false witness. Faith is futile and you are still in sin.

All die but Christ will make them alive again. First Christ then those who belong to him. End will come when Jesus has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. He will reign until he destroys his enemy and death. God will be all in all when everything (except God) is under him and then the Son will be made subject to Him.

Paul says if there is no resurrection then everything is in vain. He dies every day. Don’t be misled by those ignorant of God.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

6) According to Paul, if Christ has not been raised then the following five things would be true.

Christian preaching is empty and so in anyone’s faith because the object of the faith, Christ, is not whom He said He was.
The apostles are liars for testifying to a resurrection that did not occur.
No forgiveness has been granted for anybody’s sin.
Those who have died believing in Christ have no hope.
If hope in Christ is limited to this life, Christians are to be pitied above all people.

There Is No Meaning For Humanity If Christ Is Not Risen

Without the resurrection, Christianity has no meaning for humanity – its founder would have been a liar and a failure, and its followers would have no hope. Thus the importance of the resurrection to Christian faith cannot be overestimated.

7) Personal Question. My answer: Jesus died for my sin and eternal life.

8 ) Personal Question. My answer: Relatives, strangers I encounter.

Conclusion BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

A hugely important passage in the Bible of Paul explaining why if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, our faith would be meaningless.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34:

The Corinthian Christians did not deny Jesus’ resurrection; they denied our resurrection. They were influenced either by Greek philosophy (which considered the resurrection undesirable, thinking the state of “pure spirit” superior), or by the thinking of the Sadducees (which thought the world beyond to be just wishful thinking). The bottom line is that the Corinthian Christians believed we lived forever, but not in resurrected bodies.

ii. Remember that resurrection is not merely life after death; it is the continuation of life after death in glorified bodies, which are our present bodies in a glorified state.

If there is no resurrection, then Jesus is not risen, and Paul and the other apostles have preached in vain and are liars. There is no real, resurrected Jesus whom they serve.

Faith is futile and you are still in sin.

Put another way:

If there is no principle of resurrection, then Jesus did not rise from the dead.
If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then death has power over Him and defeated Him.
If death has power over Jesus, He is not God.
If Jesus is not God, He cannot offer a complete sacrifice for sins.
If Jesus cannot offer a complete sacrifice for sins, our sins are not completely paid for before God.
If my sins are not completely paid for before God, then I am still in my sins.
Therefore, if Jesus is not risen, He is unable to save.

Those who have already died are dead forever as well.

It is true that being a Christian solves many problems; but it also brings many others. Paul, (like the preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes) saw little ultimate value in life if there is only this life to live.

The divinity of Jesus rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 1:4).

The sovereignty of Jesus rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 14:9).

Our justification rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 4:25).

Our regeneration rests on the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3).

Our ultimate resurrection rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 8:11).

Firstfruits

Firstfruits is the ancient Greek word aparche. In the Septuagint, this word is used for the offering of firstfruits and in secular usage the word was used for an entrance fee.

Jesus was the firstfruits of our resurrection in both senses. In the Old Testament, the offering of firstfruits brought one sheaf of grain to represent and anticipate the rest of the harvest (Leviticus 23:9-14). The resurrection of Jesus represents our resurrection, because if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:5). The resurrection of Jesus also anticipates our resurrection, because we will be raised with a body like His. “As in the firstfruits offered to God, the Jews were assured of God’s blessing on the whole harvest; so by the resurrection of Christ, our resurrection is insured.” (Trapp)

The Feast of Firstfruits was observed on the day after the Sabbath following Passover (Leviticus 23:9-14). Significantly, Jesus rose from the dead on the exact day of the Feast of Firstfruits, the day after the Sabbath following the Passover.

The offering at the Feast of Firstfruits was a bloodless grain offering (Leviticus 2). No atoning sacrifice was necessary, because the Passover lamb had just been sacrificed. This corresponds perfectly with the resurrection of Jesus, because His death ended the need for sacrifice, having provided a perfect and complete atonement.

The resurrection of Jesus is also the firstfruits of our resurrection in the sense that He is our “entrance fee” to resurrection. Jesus paid our admission to the resurrection!

Paul communicates the same ideas found in Romans 5:12-21. Adam (by man) is one “head” of the human race, and all mankind was brought under death by Adam. The second Adam, Jesus Christ (by Man) is the other head of the human race, and Jesus brings resurrection to all that are “under” His headship.

In Ephesians 1:10, Paul reveals God’s eternal purpose in history: that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him. Paul wrote of the “gathering together” of all things in Jesus, or of the “summing up” of all things in Him. Here, in 1 Corinthians, he looks forward to the time when all things are resolved in Jesus Christ and He presents it all to God the Father, giving glory to the God who authored this eternal plan of the ages.

Paul refers to the one-thousand-year reign of Jesus described in Revelation 20:1-6. After that time, there will be a final, Satan inspired rebellion (Revelation 20:7-10), which Jesus will crush and finally and forever put all enemies under His feet.

The expression under His feet is an Old Testament “figure for total conquest.” (Mare)

Death will be present during the millennial reign of Jesus (Revelation 20:9 and Isaiah 65:20), but afterward, death will be abolished. It is truly the last enemy that will be destroyed.

Simply put, God the Father will always be God the Father, and God the Son will always be God the Son, and for all eternity they will continue to relate to each other as Father and Son.

What was being baptized for the dead? It is a mysterious passage, and there have been more than thirty different attempts to interpret it.

Die Daily

How can we die daily? Spurgeon gives seven steps to dying daily in a sermon titled Dying Daily.

Every day carefully consider the certainty of death.
By faith put your soul through the whole process of death.
Hold this world with a loose hand.
Every day seriously test your hope and experience.
Come every day, just as you did at conversion, to the cross of Jesus, as a poor guilty sinner.
Live in such a manner that you would not be ashamed to die at any moment.
Have all your affairs in order so that you are ready to die.

The book of Acts does not record an occasion when Paul faced wild animals in an arena. It may simply be unrecorded, or Paul may mean “beasts” figuratively, in reference to his violent and wild human opponents (as he faced at Ephesus in Acts 19:21-41).

Paul’s third proof for the resurrection in this section is also compelling. If there is no resurrection, then there is no future judgment to consider.

By keeping evil company, the Corinthian Christians were being conformed to this world, and they needed to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Christians must let the Word of God shape their thinking, not the evil company of this world.

This is not a quotation from the Old Testament, or even from the words of Jesus. Paul quotes from an ancient, secular comedy play, Thais, written by Menander. Though he was a pagan, Menander told the truth at this point, and Paul (more properly, the Holy Spirit) had no problem quoting a pagan who did tell the truth at a particular point.

For Christians to resist God’s process of transformation by the renewing of our minds is to neglect the knowledge of God. To remain willfully ignorant of the truth is sin.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

February 24, 2020February 23, 2020 by atozmom, posted in BSF Acts 2019/2020

Summary of 1 Corinthians 15:1-11:

Paul reminds the Corinthians about the gospel: Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and then raised on the third day. He appeared to Peter, the Twelve, 500 brothers, James, the apostles, and to Paul. By the grace of God Paul was saved.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11:

3a) Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and then raised on the third day. He appeared to Peter, the Twelve, 500 brothers, James, the apostles, and to Paul.

b) If Jesus doesn’t rise from the dead, then we won’t rise from the dead at Christ’s Second Coming. The Resurrection is the subject of every sermon we find in the Book of Acts. (Paul actually answers this very question in the next section (1 Corinthians 15:12-19), so unsure why we are answering it here). If Christ did not rise, then Christianity is a false belief. Our preaching is useless and so is our faith. Worse, we are found to be false witnesses about God. We would still be in our sins and lost forever.

4) This, in part, speaks to the redeeming work of Christ in our lives.

5) Personal Question. My answer: Many ways. You can point to historical records of the time. The truths in the Bible. How history supports Christ’s resurrection.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Last go around in 2012, we did 1 Corinthians 15-16 in one day.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

The word gospel means “good news.” As the word was used in ancient times, it didn’t have to describe the message of salvation in Jesus Christ; it could describe any good news. But the best news ever is that we can be saved from the punishment we deserve from God because of what Jesus did for us.

The Corinthian Christians first received the gospel. The message of the gospel must first be believed and embraced.

You have to receive, stand, and hold fast to the Gospel: past, present, and future. You never stop working for God.

Paul did not make up this gospel. He received it (and not from man, but from Jesus Christ, according to Galatians 1:11-12), and Paul delivered it

At the core of the gospel are things that happened – actual, real, historical events. The gospel isn’t a matter of religious opinions, platitudes, or fairy tales; it is about real historical events.

Crucifixion Explained

The victim’s back was first torn open by scourging. As he hung on the cross, with each breath, the painful wounds on the back scraped against the rough wood of the upright beam.

When the nail was driven through the wrists, it severed the large median nerve. This produced excruciating bolts of pain in both arms, and resulted in a claw-like grip in the victim’s hands.

Beyond the excruciating pain, the major effect of crucifixion was inhibiting normal breathing. The weight of the body pulled down on the arms and shoulders and hindered exhalation. The lack of adequate respiration resulted in severe muscle cramps, which hindered breathing even further. To get a good breath, one had to push against the feet, and flex the elbows, pulling from the shoulders. Putting the weight of the body on the feet produced searing pain, and flexing the elbows twisted the hands hanging on the nails. Lifting the body for a breath also painfully scraped the back against the rough wooden post.

“Not uncommonly, insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds or the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying and helpless victim, and birds of prey would tear at these sites. Moreover, it was customary to leave the corpse on the cross to be devoured by predatory animals.” (Edwards)

Death was from acute shock from blood loss, being too exhausted to breathe any longer; dehydration, stress-induced heart attack, or congestive heart failure leading to a cardiac rupture. If the victim did not die quickly enough, the legs were broken, and the victim was soon unable to breathe.

We get our English word excruciating from the Roman word “out of the cross.”

Why Does the Death of Jesus Matter?

God the Father laid upon God the Son all the guilt and wrath our sin deserved, and Jesus bore it in Himself perfectly, totally satisfying the wrath of God in our place.

As horrible as the physical suffering of Jesus was, this spiritual suffering – the act of being judged for sin in our place – was what Jesus really dreaded about the cross. This was the cup – the cup of God’s righteous wrath – that He trembled at drinking (Luke 22:39-46, Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15). On the cross Jesus became, as it were, an enemy of God, who was judged and forced to drink the cup of the Father’s fury so we would not have to drink that cup.

Isaiah 53:3-5 puts it powerfully: He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

The burial of Jesus is positive proof that He really died, because you don’t bury someone unless they are really dead, and Jesus’ death was confirmed at the cross before He was taken down to be buried (John 19:31-37).

Jesus’ burial is also important because it fulfilled the Scriptures which declared, And they made His grave with the wicked; but with the rich at His death (Isaiah 53:9). Jesus was buried in the tomb of a rich man (Matthew 27:57-60).

The gospel is that Jesus took our punishment for sin on the cross, and remained a perfect Savior through the whole ordeal – proved by His resurrection. Jesus conquered sin, which is what the resurrection represents.

He rose the third day after His death. This also demonstrates Jesus’ credibility, because He proclaimed He would rise three days after His death (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19).

Jesus’ death was planned (Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, Hosea 6:2, Jonah 1:17, and Psalm 16:10, Genesis 22)

Eye-Witnesses To Jesus’ Resurrection

Though no one saw the actual resurrection of Jesus, many people saw the resurrected Jesus. Paul now calls forth these witnesses to the resurrection, to establish beyond all controversy that Jesus was raised from the dead in a resurrection body.

Five hundred brethren isn’t detailed in the gospels, but is suggested by Matthew 28:10 and 28:16-17. During the time after His resurrection, but before His Ascension, Jesus met with His followers on many different occasions.

James, the brother of Jesus, who is seen as a prominent leader in the church in Acts 15. Significantly, in the gospels, Jesus’ brothers are hostile to Him and His mission (John 7:3-5). Yet in the first chapter of Acts, Jesus’ brothers are among the followers of Jesus (Acts 1:14). What happened to change them? Certainly, this meeting of the resurrected Jesus with His brother James had some influence.

John 20:26-31, John 21:1-25, Matthew 28:16-20, and Luke 24:44-49. mentions many meetings that are not described in the gospels. These meetings were important in proving to the disciples that Jesus was who He said He was. At these meetings He ate with them, comforted them, commanded them to preach the gospel, and told them to wait in Jerusalem for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit after His ascension.

The changed character of the apostles, and their willingness to die for the testimony of the resurrection, eliminate fraud as an explanation of the empty tomb.

Why didn’t Paul mention the appearances of Jesus to the women at the tomb as evidence of Jesus’ resurrection? Probably because in that day a woman’s testimony was not received in law courts. It was true, and it was good evidence for the apostles at that time, but the world of that day would reject that testimony, because it came from women.

Paul regarded himself as the least of the apostles because he persecuted the church of God. Paul always remembered how he had sinned against Jesus’ church. He knew that he was forgiven; yet he remembered his sin.

Paul felt – rightly so – that his sins were worse because he was responsible for the death, imprisonment, and suffering of Christians, whom he persecuted before his life was changed by Jesus (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:1-2, Galatians 1:13, Philippians 3:6, and 1 Timothy 1:15).

Saving and Changing Grace

The grace that saves us also changes us. Grace changed Paul. You can’t receive the grace of God without being changed by it. The changes don’t come all at once, and the changes are not complete until we pass to the next life, but we are indeed changed.

We work in a partnership with God, not because He needs us, but because He wants us to share in His work. Paul understood this principle well, writing, “for we are God’s fellow workers” in 1 Corinthians 3:9.

Is God supposed to do it or am I supposed to do it? The answer is, “Yes!” God does it, and we do it. Trust God, rely on Him, and then get to work and work as hard as you can! That is how we see the work of God accomplished.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019 by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promised Land Part 1

Summary of 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Solomon was wise, and people came from all over to hear his wisdom. He spoke proverbs and wrote songs. He knew of everything.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

12) Part personal Question. My answer: God granted Solomon riches, wealth, honor, discernment, and wisdom. It’s all about God’s timing. When it’s right in your life, it will happen.

13) Personal Question. My answer: Solomon was wise in every way like God, and it appears it was used for good. God’s wisdom leads to a good life with good deeds and a heart for God’s ways. We use it for His glory and His good.

14) Part personal question. My answer; Solomon learned that with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Wisdom is better than folly. Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance. Sometimes it is better not to know than to know because once you know, you have no excuse not to act. We know about other countries and the atrocities that happen there. We know about the poor around the world and around ourselves. We know the need. Once you know, you must act. There is a bliss about ignorance and youth. You can live carefree. Not so when you know there is so much to be done.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Wisdom is a Catch-22 I think is what Solomon is driving home. Knowing about others’ grief brings you grief. Answering with God’s heart is what brightens your face.

Link to more on Solomon HERE

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Solomon’s wisdom

In the glory years of Solomon’s kingdom, he used the great wisdom God gave until he fell away from his devotion and worship of God (1 Kings 11:1-11).

Solomon became a prominent and famous man even among kings. In a strong sense, this is the fulfillment of the great promises to an obedient Israel described in Deuteronomy 28.

Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. (Deuteronomy 28:1)

Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. (Deuteronomy 28:10)

In a sense, these blessings came upon Solomon more for David’s obedience than for his own. David was far more loyal and intimate with God than Solomon; yet God outwardly blessed Solomon more for David’s sake than He blessed David himself.

Solomon’s great wisdom – divinely inspired wisdom – makes up a considerable portion of the Book of Proverbs.

Solomon composed many songs but few psalms in the sense that David was the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1). This goes back to Solomon’s inferior relationship to God (compared to his father David).

Solomon’s wisdom was not only applied to understanding life and human problems, but also to understanding the world around him. He had a divinely gifted intellect and ability to understand.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17

March 13, 2019February 17, 2019 by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promised Land Part 1

Summary of 1 Kings 4:1-28:

Solomon ruled over all of the Israel. He had 12 district governors who had to supply provisions to him and his household. Israel prospered and was large in territory. Solomon was wise.

Summary of 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Solomon accumulated chariots and horses, 1400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He was rich. He began to trade in horses with the Egyptians, Hittites, and Arameans.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

9) Part personal question. My answer: He divided Israel into 12 districts and divided up the tasks equally of providing for the king and the royal household. He trained and supervised those to help him rule his kingdom. He was wise. Solomon divided up responsibilities, which I think we all do in a family, and offered training, which is what parents do.

10) Everyone was able to enjoy the fruits of their labor in safety.

11) Part personal Question. My answer: You forget the Lord during peace and prosperity. It is He who gave you the ability to produce wealth. We may become prideful. Remember God in all that you do and that everything is from Him. Give Him the credit when you get promoted at work or do something good.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Finally, we get to see Israel at peace after all the wars and hardships we’ve read about. It’s good to know God has great plans at the end of our personal wars.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Commentary 1 Kings 4:1-28:

Solomon selected, trained, empowered, and supervised leaders. Solomon’s government was structured much like modern nations. He had officials who served as ministers or department secretaries over their specific areas of responsibility and were responsible for taxation. The districts were not strictly separated by tribal borders but often according to mountains, land, and region.

Taxes were paid in grain and livestock, which were used to support the royal court and the central government. Each governor was responsible for one month of the year — not overwhelming to any one district.

The reign of Solomon was a golden age for Israel as a kingdom. The population grew robustly, the nation and were were prosperous, allowing plenty of leisure time and pursuit of good pleasures. David did all the work. Israel’s neighbors were weak during this time as well, contributing to their good fortune.

Why so much food?

The amount of food was extravagant: some estimate that this much food every day could feed 15,000 to 36,000 people. It supplied considerably more than Solomon’s household, large as it was.
Fatted oxen are pen-fed cattle in contrast to open grazing varieties.
Solomon was gluttonous.

Each man under his vine and his fig tree: This was a proverbial expression for a time of peace and prosperity in Israel (Isaiah 36:16, Micah 4:4, Zechariah 3:10), indicating safety from both internal and external enemies.

Solomon’s horses

The famous stables of Solomon show what a vast cavalry he assembled for Israel. 2 Chronicles 9:25 is a parallel passage and has 4,000 chariots instead of 40,000 – the smaller number seems correct and the larger number is probably due to copyist error.

Solomon did not take God’s word as seriously as he should. In Deuteronomy 17:16, God spoke specifically to the future kings of Israel: But he shall not multiply horses for himself. One may argue if 20 or 100 horses violates the command to not multiply horses, certainly forty thousand stalls of horses is multiplying horses.

Each man according to his charge

Each man according to his charge: Spurgeon preached a sermon on this verse (which is lost in the NIV translation), focusing on the idea that we each have a charge to fulfill in the Kingdom of God, and we should be diligent to perform it and be expectant in being supplied for this duty.

“In Solomon’s court all his officers had a service to carry out, ‘every man according to his charge.’ It is exactly so in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are truly his, he has called us to some work and office, and he wills us to discharge that office diligently. We are not to be gentlemen-at-ease, but men-at-arms; not loiterers, but laborers; not glittering spangles, but burning and shining lights.” (Spurgeon)

Solomon’s wisdom

In the glory years of Solomon’s kingdom, he used the great wisdom God gave until he fell away from his devotion and worship of God (1 Kings 11:1-11).

Solomon became a prominent and famous man even among kings. In a strong sense, this is the fulfillment of the great promises to an obedient Israel described in Deuteronomy 28.

Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. (Deuteronomy 28:10)

Commentary 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

When we think of Solomon’s great wealth, we also consider that he originally did not set his heart upon riches. He deliberately asked for wisdom to lead the people of God instead of riches or fame. God promised to also give Solomon riches and fame, and God fulfilled His promise.

Solomon gave an eloquent testimony to the vanity of riches as the preacher in the Book of Ecclesiastes. He powerfully showed that there was no ultimate satisfaction through materialism — a lesson we all should take to heart. We don’t have to be as rich as Solomon to learn the same lesson.

Solomon presided over a prosperous and wealthy kingdom. Yet the Chronicler is also warning us here. He assumes that we know of the instructions for future kings of Israel in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. He assumes we know verse 17 of that passage, which says: nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. God blessed Solomon with great riches, but Solomon allowed that blessing to turn into a danger because he disobediently multiplied silver and gold for himself.

Keveh (also known as Cilicia) was “in what is now southern Turkey, at the east end of the Mediterranean, was a prime ancient supplier of horses.” (Payne)

Steps in Solomon’s downfall

Solomon disobeyed by multiplying horses for the service of his kingdom and he obtains them from the Egyptians (1 Kings 4:26, 10:28-29).
Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3:1).
Solomon married many other foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-4).
Solomon built temples to the gods of his wives for their use (1 Kings 11:7-8).
Solomon began to worship these other gods himself (1 Kings 11:4-5).

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1

March 12, 2019February 17, 2019 by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promised Land Part 1

Summary of 1 Kings 3:5-28:

God appears to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream and told Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon asked for a discerning heart to govern the Israelites by. God not only gives Solomon a discerning heart for asking for something so noble but also gives him what he doesn’t ask for: riches and honor like no other. If Solomon obeys God, he will have a long life as well. Solomon returns to Jerusalem and makes fellowship offerings at the ark of the covenant.

Two prostitutes came before the king, arguing over the baby. One claims the other stole her baby because hers died in the night. Solomon decides to cut the baby in two to solve the dispute. The real mother does not want her baby to die and when she says so, Solomon knows which is the real mother. Here we see the gift of wisdom in action.

Summary of 2 Chronicles 1:7-13:

Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to govern God’s great people by. God granted Solomon’s request, plus added on riches, honor, and wealth. Solomon returned to Jerusalem and reigned over Israel.

Summary of Proverbs 1:

Solomon lays out the reasons for the book of Proverbs, including to be wise, to have understanding, to be prudent, and to fear the Lord. Solomon says to listen to your parents, to ignore sinners, and to be wise and listen to him, so you will learn about life.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

6) Solomon is very humble. He starts by stating God’s greatness of being kind to his father, David. He praises God in this and for this (saying God is faithful, righteous, upright in heart, and kind). He says how he’s not qualified to lead his people but wants to be. Solomon is humble and wants to follow God. He loves God.

7) God not only gives Solomon what he asks for because he asked for a gift not for himself, but God gives Solomon even more — what he doesn’t ask for. God wants to bless us if we follow Him.

8 ) Part personal Question. My answer: Listen to your parents. Ignore sinners. Accept wisdom and prudent advice and fear the Lord. Read more. Learn more. Pray more. Always be learning and seeking and taking advice from those who are close to God. Pray for discernment.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

If we put others first and do for others, God will reward us and give us what we do not ask for. It all comes down to obedience and having God first in your heart. He knows your desires, and all He wants to do is give them to you.

As a mother, this is one of my favorite stories in all of the Bible because it is so true. I love reading this story every time.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

Commentary 1 Kings 3:5-28:

God seemed to offer Solomon whatever he wanted. This wasn’t only because Solomon sacrificed 1,000 animals; it was because his heart was surrendered to God, and God wanted to work something in Solomon through this offer and his response.

We have the same offer:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Solomon asked for more than great knowledge; he wanted understanding, and he wanted it in his heart, not merely in his head. The ancient Hebrew word translated understanding is literally, “hearing.” Solomon wanted a hearing heart, one that would listen to God.

Lessons learned from Solomon’s request:

Solomon experienced God’s ability to do far beyond all that we ask or think.
What we are is more important than what we have.

Many scholars believe Solomon wasted his gift from God since he turned away from God in the end (1 Kings 11:4-11). Many believe he could have accomplished so much more. However, what he did accomplish was far more than that average human. Judging Solomon is not our job, and if you are tempted to do so, then examine your own heart first.

Solomon and the baby

The problem with the baby seemed impossible to solve; it was one woman’s word against another’s with no witnesses.

Solomon’s solution seemed strange. The works – even the judgments – of God often first seem strange, dangerous, or even foolish. Time shows them to be perfect wisdom.

Commentary 2 Chronicles 1:7-13:

“God’s answer to Solomon’s request was a beautiful instance of the overflowing love and grace of the divine heart. All the things Solomon set aside for the sake of wisdom were also given to him.” (Morgan)

Commentary Proverbs 1:

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of practical life wisdom given mostly in short, memorable statements. Though part of a larger body of wisdom literature that includes Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, the Book of Proverbs is unique.

The book of Proverbs is mostly a collection of individual statements without much context or organization by topic.
The book of Proverbs is unique in its theology, being concerned with practical life wisdom more than ideas about God and His work of salvation.
Proverbs is also unique in its connection with the secular literature of its time. Neighboring kingdoms had their own collections of wisdom literature, and in some places, there are significant similarities to these writings.

There are several sections of Proverbs (22:17-23:14, 22:23, 22:26-27 are examples) that seem to be borrowed from The Teaching of Amenemope, an ancient Egyptian writing. There is debate as to whom borrowed whom, but most scholars believe Amenemope is earlier.

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Proverbs teach wisdom

Proverbs teach wisdom through short points and principles but should not be regarded as “laws” or even universal promises.

“Proverbs are wonderfully successful at being what they are: proverbs. They are not failed prophecies or systematic theologies. Proverbs by design lays out pointed observations, meant to be memorized and pondered, not always intended to be applied ‘across the board’ to every situation without qualification.” (Phillips)

He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:32-34)

There are a few other authors specifically mentioned for the book of Proverbs. Solomon may have collected all these other proverbs and set them in his book — scholars are unsure.

“The book tells us that it is the work of several authors. Three of these are named (Solomon, Agur and Lemuel), others are mentioned collectively as ‘Wise Men’, and at least one section of the book (the last) is anonymous.” (Kidner)

Purpose of book of Proverbs

The book of Proverbs is to give the attentive reader wisdom, instruction, perception, and understanding.

Knowledge and wisdom are different. Knowledge is the collection of facts; wisdom is the right use of what we know for daily living.

“It is probably a safe bet to say that most people today are not much interested in wisdom. They are interested in making money and in having a good time. Some are interested in knowing something, in getting an education. Almost everyone wants to be well liked. But wisdom? The pursuit of wisdom is not a popular ideal.” (Boice on Psalm 111

Simple means gullible

Simple: “The word indicates the person whose mind is dangerously open. He is gullible, he is naïve. He may have opinions, but he lacks deeply thought-through and field-tested convictions.” (Phillips)

True knowledge and wisdom flow from the fear of the LORD.

God should be regarded with respect, reverence, and awe. This proper attitude of the creature toward the Creator is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

The instruction and law given from parent to child will adorn the life of their children, if they will only receive it.

Warning to choose friends wisely

Significantly, this first instruction and warning in the book of Proverbs speaks to the company we keep and the friendships we make. There are few more powerful forces and influences upon our life than the friends we choose. It has been said, show me your friends and I can see your future. It speaks to the great need for God’s people to be more careful and wise in their choice of friends.

Stay away from the wicked and all their plotting.

Tragically, Solomon’s company with sinners – in the form of his wives given to idolatry – became a trap he himself was caught in.

“The greatest tragedy is that there’s so much noise that people can’t hear the things they really need to hear. God is trying to get through to them with the voice of wisdom, but all they hear are the confused communications clutter, foolish voices that lead them farther away from the truth.” (Wiersbe)

The problem with these simple ones was that they loved their simplicity. They preferred their foolish ignorance than the effort and correction required by the love and pursuit of wisdom.

The end result of this love of foolishness and scorn will be death (will slay them) and destruction (will destroy them).

“The eleven other occurrences of turning away are all in Hosea or Jeremiah, always with reference to Israel’s apostasy, faithlessness, and backsliding from God and from the Mosaic covenant.” (Waltke)

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Summary of 1 Corinthians 16:

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Corinthians 16

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Corinthians 16

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Corinthians 16

Helping the Poor According to the Bible

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Summary of 1 Corinthians 15:35-58:

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

The Last Trumpet

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Summary of 1 Corinthians 15:12-34:

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Conclusion BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34:

Firstfruits

Die Daily

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Summary of 1 Corinthians 15:1-11:

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11:

End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 24, Day 2: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Crucifixion Explained

Why Does the Death of Jesus Matter?

Eye-Witnesses To Jesus’ Resurrection

Saving and Changing Grace

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Summary of 1 Kings 4:29-34:

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 5: 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Solomon’s wisdom

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Summary of 1 Kings 4:1-28:

Summary of 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 4: 1 Kings 4:1-28; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Commentary 1 Kings 4:1-28:

Why so much food?

Solomon’s horses

Each man according to his charge

Solomon’s wisdom

Commentary 2 Chronicles 1:14-17:

Steps in Solomon’s downfall

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Summary of 1 Kings 3:5-28:

Summary of 2 Chronicles 1:7-13:

Summary of Proverbs 1:

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24 Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 24, Day 3: 1 Kings 3:5-28; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 1:

Commentary 1 Kings 3:5-28:

Lessons learned from Solomon’s request:

Solomon and the baby

Commentary 2 Chronicles 1:7-13:

Commentary Proverbs 1:

Proverbs teach wisdom

Purpose of book of Proverbs

Simple means gullible

Warning to choose friends wisely

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