Luke 8
49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.”
50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”
51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.
52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.”
53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.”
55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Wilson Ong painted Jairus' daughter and family. Jairus is in shock. He can't believe he has lived this. Jesus says not to tell, Jairus is thinking this sounds like a Plan to him. His emotional life has not caught up to his daughter, - - in this painting.
Wouldn't you think the next Chapter of Luke's Gospel would be Palm Sunday? Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh The Crowd Goes Wild. The Girl is 12, she Will Live!!!! The Ruler of the Synagogue's Daughter!!!! Hhhhhhh!
2,000 years later, we talk about Lazarus.
Not the widow of Nain's son - very much. The next thing Jesus did according to Luke was send the 12 Disciples away from Jesus to speak of the arrival of God's Kingdom. And the Disciples are told not to tell the child is Alive.
Let's imagine what this looks like to be ...
Thomas, Simon the Zealot, Philip, Simon Peter, Matthias, Matthew, Jude, Judas Iscariot, John, James, Son of Alpheus, James, Son of Zebedee, Bartholomew, and Andrew - heading out to not tell about Jairus' daughter being alive. Head on out to the villages and towns and proclaim the Good News. (Hop on one foot?) However Jesus has Spoken.
What would the Disciples say about this particular journey given to them by Jesus the Lord?
2 Corinthians 4:1-15
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that
as grace extends to more and more people
it may increase thanksgiving,
to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart.
Jesus gave the Disciples a task and charge to obey about not telling. Possibly this was a burden. Why? Jesus was known to say in the middle of God's Awe and Wonders - no sign will be given.
Timothy 1:5
The aim of our charge is love
that issues from a pure heart
and a good conscience
and a sincere faith.
John 1:49-50
49“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”
Jesus as God wanted time to be less Glorious to go further. There would come a time where no one could enter the house except by removing the ceiling. Jesus in the Tyre, Mark 7, would enter a home hoping no one would see Him. The goal was to bring His Light to the world. Not to lose one heart.
“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
Jesus would go forth and heal the Widow of Nain's son. A great crowd was walking with Him, as Jesus 'just so happened' to be walking past the funeral bier. Luke 7. Maybe the funeral procession made a mistake. Maybe the Widow of Nain was fortunate not to leave her son in a tomb? What if Jairus' daughter was merely sleeping? What if Jesus healing all who touched Him was "The Screaming Beatles" of teenage girls?
Enter Lazarus with an aroma of death, waiting on Jesus for a few days. This is - the Real Deal. Jesus is carefully constructing the understanding of the Dead have Life. These Bones will rise Ezekiel.
The Gospel of Mark is the Hit Parade of Peter -
asked about this from the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ.
- Healing the mother of Peter's wife.
- Healing the deaf mute of Decapolis.
- Healing the blind at birth.
- Healing the Paralytic at Bethesda.
- The Blind Man of Bethsaida.
- The Blind man Bartimaeus in Jericho.
- Healing the Centurion's servant.
- Christ healing an infirm woman.
- Cursing of the fig tree
- Jesus heals a man with a dreaded skin disease (Mark 1:40–45)
- The man with the paralysed hand (Mark 3:1–6)
- Jesus heals the haemorrhagic (Mark 5:25–34)
- Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:21–42)
- Jesus heals a deaf mute (Mark 7:31–37)
Why did this shake the world? How can we assume this is Real?
(You can skip this extensive List Showing How Important Jesus became to the Roman Empire and the Emperors. This is the Steadfast Love History Principal.)
(You can skip this extensive List Showing How Important Jesus became to the Roman Empire and the Emperors. This is the Steadfast Love History Principal.)
The Bible in our hands is easily found today.
We reap what many others fought and died to save. To have the Bible in our hands today.
Before the Coliseum, Claudius had an Imperial Palace on the site of the Coliseum. This is where the people of God found the Roman Empire would begin to destroy Scripture of the New Testament.
The Roman Colosseum was build by the gold from the destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple of God in 81 A. D.
When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His Word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact. 16 years after the death of Jesus. Claudius has gone from prominence to being an enigma in history.
Jesus Christ has gone forth.
Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.
Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD
Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD
Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor
Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.
Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.
Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.
Because of Domitan, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD. Hebrews 9 tells us when Paul wrote Hebrews, the Second Temple is in operation.
+
The Love of Jesus Christ opening His arms to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household, Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.
Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.
Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajan...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius
Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180 166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?
Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)
During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.
That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.).
It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius is the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians given to Tertullian
Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius
180 - 192
Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the Senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.
Persecution slows down -
Pertinax (193)
Didius Julianus (193) .
Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa, ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)
Caracalla (211-217)
Macrinus (217-218)
Elagabalus (218-222)
Severus Alexander (222-235)
Maximinus (235-238)
Gordian I and II (238)
Balbinus (238)
Pupienus (238)
Gordian III (238-244)
Philip the Arab (244-249) .
Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship. Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death.
Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)
Aemilian (253) .
Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred
Gallienus (253-268)
Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .
Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions
Tacitus (275-276)
Probus (276-282)
Carus (282-283)
Carinus (283-284)
Numerian (283-284) .
Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. Personally sends troops to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas (also known as St. Nicholas or, in German, Santa Claus, in prison.
& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders
Constantius Chlorus (305-306)
Maxentius (306-312) .
Galerius (305-311)
Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly
Constantine was forced as a nephew to the Emperor to go to Nazareth and torture and kill the descendents of the Brothers of Jesus. All refused to decant Jesus. All perished. A week Constantine would have to change his life. Bishop Eusebius is eyewitness to Constantines arrival and departure for this purpose.
Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions
Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples. The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops (including St. Nicholas), who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the Church today and choose the Books of the Bible.
(* The above information was gathered from several sources and paraphrased.)
The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon
The Roman Colosseum was build by the gold from the destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple of God in 81 A. D.
When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His Word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact. 16 years after the death of Jesus. Claudius has gone from prominence to being an enigma in history.
Jesus Christ has gone forth.
Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.
Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD
Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD
Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor
Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.
Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.
Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitian, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitian – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.
Because of Domitian, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD. Hebrews 9 tells us when Paul wrote Hebrews, the Second Temple is in operation.
The Love of Jesus Christ opening His arms
to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household,
Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.
Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.
Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajen...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius
Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180 166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?
Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)
During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.
That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.).
It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius is the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians given to Tertullian
Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius
180 - 192
Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the Senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.
Persecution slows down -
Pertinax (193)
Didius Julianus (193) .
Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa, ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)
Caracalla (211-217)
Macrinus (217-218)
Elagabalus (218-222)
Severus Alexander (222-235)
Maximinus (235-238)
Gordian I and II (238)
Balbinus (238)
Pupienus (238)
Gordian III (238-244)
Philip the Arab (244-249) .
Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship. Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death.
Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)
Aemilian (253) .
Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred
Gallienus (253-268)
Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .
Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions
Tacitus (275-276)
Probus (276-282)
Carus (282-283)
Carinus (283-284)
Numerian (283-284) .
Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. Personally sends troops to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas (also known as St. Nicholas or, in German, Santa Claus, in prison.
& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders
Constantius Chlorus (305-306)
Maxentius (306-312) .
Galerius (305-311)
Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly
Constantine was forced as a nephew to the Emperor to go to Nazareth and torture and kill the descendents of the Brothers of Jesus. All refused to decant Jesus. All perished. A week Constantine would have to change his life. Bishop Eusebius is eyewitness to Constantines arrival and departure for this purpose.
Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions
Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples. The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops (including St. Nicholas), who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the Church today and choose the Books of the Bible.
(* The above information was gathered from several sources and paraphrased.)
The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon.
Truly, an amazing list, the lengths belief has taken us.
Miracles in the Book of Acts:
- Peter heals a lame man Jerusalem 3:1-11
- Ananias and Sapphira struck dead Jerusalem 5:1-10
- Apostles perform many wonders Jerusalem 5:12-16
- Peter and John communicate the Holy Spirit Samaria 8:14-17
- Peter heals Eneas of a palsy Lydda 9:33, 34
- Peter raises Tabitha, or Dorcas, to life Joppa 9:36-41
- Peter delivered out of prison by an angel Jerusalem 12:7-17
- God smites Herod, so that he dies Jerusalem 12:21-23
- Elymas, the sorcerer, smitten with blindness Paphos 13:6-11
- Paul converted Road to Damascus 9:1-9
- Paul heals a cripple Lystra 14:8-10
- Paul casts out a spirit of divination Philippi 16:16-18
- Paul and Silas's prison doors opened by an earthquake Philippi 16:25, 26
- Paul communicates the Holy Spirit Corinth 19:1-6
- Paul heals multitudes Corinth 19:11, 12
- Paul restores Eutychus to life Troas 20:9-12
- Paul shakes off a viper Malta 28:3-6
- Paul heals the father of Publius and others Malta 28:7-9
Jesus wasn't building a 'wall' with Living Stones. In fact, Jesus said we are the Temple of God. The History of belief is interesting, but what really was happening - the Miracles of Jesus were present during His Life and Continued in the Holy Spirit beyond The Book of Acts until this was present everywhere in the Roman Empire.
Just like today. When we find Believers have times they pray and something 'coincidental' happens.
Abba,
We give You Thanks for Renewing our Blessings Daily. Help us to Live and move and truly know the truth of our Blessings. To build upon what You have Willingly Given. To understand and to Please You as we live in these Blessings.
Jesus told His Disciples not to speak. The Kingdom of Heaven is said:
Matthew 13:45-44
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
When we pray for a way to explain our Faith. We Pray for the Wisdom of God. And the timing of God. You have placed Your Spirit within us who Believe and we sometimes know the time is not quite right. Like the ancient symbol of Ichthus. Like the woman who reached for the fringe of Jesus' robe.
Luke 6
17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
The Holy Spirit of God is Abundant. Inclusive. Thank You Jesus. You seek to save the world in Jesus Christ. We can pray and we will have the opportunity. Jesus and His Holy Spirit will do this.
We love to have conversational prayer with You, Father, all the day in Jesus. We will be empowered to pray for others and to have His opportunities.
Thank You Father, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. When we clearly perceive in life we are told to be quiet, You have given us wisdom. You give us the way forward to Pray in Jesus and He will provide.
We pray to have the Joy in the Lord for finding the Kingdom of Heaven first. To live lives of Love, Peace and Joy.
Knowing You cover those we Love in Jesus. Bringing their hearts to You. Covering the people You have given us. Giving our Nation hope as we Trust in You. Covering Australia and China and all the Nations praying for Your Steadfast Love and Mercy.
Thanking You, Father God. Your Plans are our Hope and Future. We ask for all the Willing Blessings You would give and rely on Your Steadfast Love and Mercy.
The Righteousness of Jesus Christ - Your Gift to us. In Jesus, Amen.
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