Acts 22:3-16 ~ The Command of God our Savior

 

St Paul

Photo Compiled by the Investigation Bureau of Germany. The compilation of the numerous icons of St. Paul. Usually, Paul looked more cheerful in the early Christian art.

 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ
 for the sake 

of the faith of God's elect 

and their knowledge of the truth, 

which accords with godliness

 

In hope of eternal life, which God, 

Who never lies, 

promised before the ages began

and 

at the proper time 

manifested in His Word 

through the preaching

 with which I have been entrusted 

by the command of God 

our Savior

Titus 1:1-3

Psalm 103:2

As far as the east is from the west, 

so far has

He removed our transgressions from us

Tomb of St. Paul

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (the Aurélien Walls, city walls built between 271-275 for Rome's seven hills. Unfortified area of Rome.)

Earlier this week we remembered the monuments to Paul, all over his travels. Here is Paul's current house, dedicated to His LORD. It was built with his tomb at the altar. The Basilica named for Paul was built in 354 by Constantine. It was fortified in the 9th century and burned by roof repairs in 1823. Rebuilt in 1840

Acts 22:3-16

 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, 
but brought up in this city, 

educated at the feet of Gamaliel 

according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers,

being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 

4 I persecuted this Way to the death,

binding 

and delivering to prison 

both men and women, 

as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness.

From them I received letters to the brothers, 

and I journeyed toward Damascus 

to take those also who were there 

and bring them in bonds 

to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 

7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 

‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 

8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ 

And He said to me, 

‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 

9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ 

And the Lord said to me, 

‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 

11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 

14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for Him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His Name.’

By now, we realize St Thomas, the doubter St. Thomas, had flaws and required Jesus the Lord's Grace upon Grace.  Peter, the liar, required the Mercy of God.  The men who hid Thursday night until Easter Sunday. Then had a verbal tug of war with Jesus Triumphant on the beach, having breakfast.

These men are loved by God. This is what God works with. Loves.  The earth is the Lord's and the fulfillment thereof.  And God saw it was Good. 

In this generation, people blithely bring up The Spanish Inquisition, The Crusades or SNL Church Lady. Paul sincerely announces he was one of this crowd when he did not know Jesus Christ the Lord. 

Throughout the Ages,

 the Ancient of Days saw many who saw the Light

 and had no understanding. 

And yet, God determined to send us His Only Son.

Babylon's City Gate of Nebuchadnezzar II,

 Perfectly preserved in Archaeology. Today in Berlin. 

We all know

Daniel 

Daniel 3: 14 - 20, 91 - 92, 95

14 King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up?

15 Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?"

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
17 If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us!

18 But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up."

19 Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual 20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.


91 King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered.
92 "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."

95 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, 

"Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 

Who sent His angel to deliver the servants that trusted in Him; 

they disobeyed the royal command 

and yielded their bodies rather than serve 

or worship any god 

except their own God.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have their troubles, if they explain about Jehovah being a jealous God, the king will not be pleased with Daniel’s friends. 

But Nebuchadnezzar has large troubles of his own, he dismantled the temple, Jerusalem and God’s chosen people. And Nebuchadnezzar is basking in his own glory of being the conquering destroyer. Nebuchadnezzar is sitting on a land mine - Nebuchadnezzar isn’t a typical tyrant, he has misunderstood Daniel to proclaim Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.

In London’s British Museum, there is a baked clay tablet (just under 3¼ inches) with cuneiform writing (wedge-shaped characters) recording important activities of king Nebuchadnezzar between the years 605-594 B.C. 91 times Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in the Scriptures. Amazingly, this is a Scriptural calendar.

"And Jehoichin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he and his mother[!]... And the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his [Nebuchadnezzar's] reign." 2 Kings 24:12

"In the entry which deals with the 7th year of the king (598-7 B.C.), in the month of Kislimu, the king of Nebuchadnezzar] marched his army the capital city of Judah. 

On the second day of the month Addaru 

[the capture of Jerusalem, dated precisely to March 16, 597 BC.], 

he captured Jerusalem and its king. He appointed a new ruler [Zedekiah— 2 Kings 24:17] and took heavy tribute and sent it to Babylon [2 Kings 24:13]. Another remarkable archaeological confirmation of the biblical record in the last 60 years.

Other archaeological discoveries relating to the fall of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, are well known. His palace has been excavated in Babylon and many of his records recovered (Wiseman 1985; Klengel-Brandt 1997: 252–54). 

One such record, the Babylonian Chronicle for the years 605–595 BC, describes the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC, the so-called “second deportation,” the first being in 605 BC when Daniel and his companions were taken to Babylon (Dan 1:1–5). The tablet was found in Babylon and purchased by the British Museum in the 19th century.

Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem (circa 597 BC) 

and deposed King Jehoiakim, then (in c. 587 BC), destroyed both the city, the temple, and deported a sizable portion of the Jewish population of Judea to Babylon as slaves. Jeremiah repeatedly told God’s chosen people to turn back to Him. Nebuchadnezzar does not see himself as fitting into God’s plans, but setting forth a blazing path of glory for himself.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego see clearly Nebuchadnezzar has heard from the Lord, but the message has been bent to be self-love. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego leave it up to God to defend His word.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, 

"There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter."

Abba, Father!

WE PRAY 

BLESSINGS 

Because every time, in Church,

we pray

"Be with us now, and in the hour of our passing"

You, Father,

answer

Prayer!

Thank You, Father.

WE PRAY

for

THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

To be 

the Voice

of LOVE

Joy, Peace, Patience,

Goodness,

Faithfulness,

gentleness

and

SELF CONTROL

And ask You

for appropriate leadership.

Yesterday, worldwide leaders

condemned the erratic and unfaithful Sermon

given by Bishop Budde.

Let's pray

for the departure

of what

 is not

good.

Worldwide leaders said, 

"The Sermon represents a church

not led by Jesus Christ and His Teachings

and Word. 

A broken down

liberal refuge institution seeking only donations."

We pray the Blessing

of Growth

upon the Church

Proclaiming

The Entire Word of God

and the 

Growing Portion

of the Episcopal Church.

Not the portion with 

lack

of His Message

and Love.

We Pray

for Leadership

in The National Cathedral

Shining

The Light of Love Peace and Joy

upon

The Teachings of Jesus Christ.

God of Love

God of Encouragement

God of the Bible. 

The safety 

of those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart 

far 

from us

and our children.

With Your Help

We will act justly

 and to love mercy

 and to walk humbly with You, our God.

Gentle rain for California

putting out the fires

speedy insurance

claims

and fast rebuilding

realizing the standard building codes

even of Reagan

were safe.

Peace

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, 

in Jesus Christ. 

Help us seek and find 

and bring,

to become,

 more Heaven

to this earth.

They ALL SAY

THE GRAHAM MINISTRY

SAMARITAN'S PURSE

IS 

DOING INCREDIBLE
SHAKE NORTH CAROLINA
SHAPE NORTH CAROLINA

Love and Mercy and Work.

GIVE TO

 SAMARITAN'S PURSE

Please.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

And in Jesus - This Hope.

Faith and Love - we will rise up Believing Jesus.

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus The Lord