| B.A.S.I.C.
NEWSLETTER
# 68
February 16, 2006 I Cor. 16:9 For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. NEWS - The CLCI celebrated a 25-year Jubilee on Feb. 8th with a worship service and fellowship meal. While the church was in existence well before 1981, it was in that year that the relationship with the CLC-USA began. In that year a CLC member, John Rohrbach, met with Pastor V. S. Benjamin and then gave information to the church in the USA about the work that could be done in India. Soon after that formal fellowship began and continues to this day. This service was a joyous occasion with solo’s being sung, and with the children and orphans singing several songs. There was much thankfulness and praise to God for the continued spreading of His Word. Thumbnail Sketches – Luke Luke was a Gentile and tradition has him as a native of Antioch (Syria). He might have been one of the seventy sent out by the Lord, as his Gospel is the only one that records that sending in 10:1-23. The same inference is made in regard to Cleopas’ companion on the way to Emmaus, that it may well have been Luke, since Luke is the only one who records that short walk. 24:13-35. We do know for sure that he worked with Paul. Col. 4:14 Luke joined Paul on the second journey at Troas and on the third for a time as well as on the prison trip to Rome. Acts 16:10-41, 20:5-21:18, 27:-28:16 He was with Paul when he wrote Colossians (4:14), Philemon (24), to Timothy (II Tim. 4:11). Luke’s Gospel is one that emphasizes a universal outlook showing how our Lord had compassion for all peoples. He brings forth a prominent point of women in the kingdom: Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, Joanna and Susanna; the women who helped Jesus (8:2-3); the widow of Nain (7:11-12); the sinful woman (7:36-50); Mary and Martha (10:38-42); the woman with a spirit of infirmity (13:10-17), and the women who mourned for Jesus on the way to Golgotha (23:27), and of course the women at the tomb (24:1-11). While Matthew had the “kingdom of heaven (or of God)”51 times in his Gospel, Luke’s favorite __expression is the “Son of man.” In chapter 15 Luke gives us in rapid-fire Jesus’ three parables on the “lost”, which so reminds us why our Lord came – to seek and to save the lost. Outline I Introduction. 1:1-4 II Birth and childhood of John the Baptist and of Jesus. 1:5-2:52 III The Ministry of John the Baptist. 3:1-20 IV The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus.3:21-4:13 V Public Ministry in Galilee. 4:14-9:50: Beginning in Nazareth; miracles, calling of disciples, teachings, conflicts with religious leaders, Mission of the Twelve, The great confession at Caesarea Philippi and the Transfiguration. VI The Journey to Jerusalem. 9:51-19:27:The mission of the Seventy, Teachings, miracles, cures, and disputes. Going through Jericho. VII The last week in Jerusalem.19: 28-24-53: Triumphal entry, lament over Jerusalem, cleansing of the Temple. Disputes with religious leaders, and teachings; the apocalyptic discourse. The supper, Gethsemane, arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection appearances and ascension. Thumbnail Sketches – John Different from the other Gospels this one names its author as “the disciple whom Jesus loved…who has written these things.” 21:20, 24 There can be no question from the other references in the Gospel that the author is John. “The claim of the Gospel itself is that it was written by an eyewitness…A note at the end of the chapter (21) tells us: ‘This is the disciple who testifies of these things and who wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true’…This ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’ is mentioned also as one of the company at the Last Supper (13:23), as being present at the crucifixion (19:26), and as an eyewitness, in Peter’s company, of the empty tomb on resurrection morning (20:2ff.).” Bruce, p. 57-58 NT Documents Combine this with a process of elimination comparing the other Gospels references and one comes up with John. John evidently was a Palestinian. He was part of the inner circle of the three among the Twelve. With his Gospel record being written last he takes a different approach to recording all about Jesus. He basically answers the question, ‘Who is Jesus?’ His answers are: l) the Word of God (l:14); 2) the Lamb of God (l:29,36); 3) the Messiah (l:41); 4) the Son of God (l:49); 5) the King of Israel (l:49); 6) the Savior of the world (4:42). This has its climax with Thomas’ “My Lord and my God”(20:28). Instead of following the life of Jesus, his Gospel centers on in part seven signs to show who Jesus is and what His purpose was: l) turning water into wine (2:1-11);2) the cure of the nobleman’s son (4:46-54); 3) the cure of the paralytic (5:1-18); 4) the feeding of the multitude (6:6-13); 5) walking on the water (6:16-21); 6) giving sight to the blind (9:1-7); 7) raising of Lazarus (ll:1-45). He also records seven “I am” sayings of Jesus: l) bread of life (6:35); 2) the light of the world (8:12); 3) the door of the sheep (10:7); 4) the good shepherd (10:11); 5) the resurrection and the life (ll:25); 6) the way, the truth, and the life ( 14:6), 7) the true vine (15:l). Outline I Prologue. 1:1-18 II Revelation to old Israel: the public ministry. 1:19-12:50: John the Baptist; calling of disciples; cleansing of the Temple. Signs. Nicodemus and the woman of Samaria. The climactic sign, the raising of Lazarus; the religious leaders decide to put Jesus to death. The close of the public ministry. III Revelation to new Israel: disclosures to the disciples.13:1-20:29; The Upper Room: washing the disciples’ feet, discourses, and prayer. Gethsemane, arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and appearances of the risen Lord. IV Conclusion of the book.20:30-31 V Epilogue. 21:1-25 Highlights -
Eglise Lutherienne
de Confession au Congo
Pastor Koenig ---------------------------------------------------------------------- B.A.S.I.C.
NEWSLETTER #69 Several
important
sermons and speeches are recorded in the Book of Acts. Over
twenty are
included with the majority coming from Peter (7 total) and Paul (11
total).
Below are listed the more significant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Reference ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Peter to crowds Peter's explanation of the meaning of Pentecost Acts 2:14-40 at Pentecost ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- at the temple ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sanhedrin of Jesus ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sanhedrin of killing the Messiah ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter to
Gentiles Gentiles can
be saved
in the same manner as
Jews
Acts 10:28-47 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerusalmen defense of his ministry to the Gentiles ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- at Antioch prophecies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerusalem council ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerusalem council ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- elders ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jerusalem the Gentiles ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roman citizen ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- King Agrippa gospel ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- leaders of Rome ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ACTS With the introduction to Acts in 1:1-2 it is clear that Acts iS the companion volume to the Gospel of Luke. While we call this book the Acts of the Apostles, it is more so the acts of the Holy Spirit. Luke's strong emphasis is on the ministry of God Himself, the Holy Spirit working in and through the Apostles. There are what I like to call 'bookmarks' in Acts: 6:7 "And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith," 12:24 "But the Word of God grew and multiplied," 19:20 "So the Word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily." In these three passages scattered throughout the book we are reminded that it was all done by the power of God through His living Word. It is a living Word because the Holy Spirit comes with the Word. As we follow the recorded history in Acts, we see it happening as Jesus said at His ascension, " .and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." 1:8 Outline I
Jerusalem. 1:1-8:3:
Appearances, commission, and ascension of the risen Lord. Matthias
chosen to
take the place of Judas. Pentecost. Signs and wonders performed by the
apostles; the choice of the seven helpers. Stephen, witness and martyr. II Judea,
Samaria and on
to Antioch of Syria. 8:4-12:25: Philip in Samaria and with the
Ethiopian
official. Conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. Peter in coast
cities of
Lydda, Joppa, and Caesarea. The planting of the Gospel in Antioch of
Syria. 1. First missionary tour. 13:1-14:28 2. The Jerusalem conference.15:1-35 3. Second missionary tour.15:36-18:22 4. Third missionary tour. 18:23-21:16 Paul a
prisoner in
Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome.21:17-28:31 Nearly
one-fifth of Acts
consists of speeches, primarily from Peter, Stephen, and Paul. Common
to each
of the speeches is the earliest framework of Gospel proclamation. 2. The Messiah has come in Jesus of Nazareth, who did good and mighty works by the power of God, was raised from the dead, and now reigns by the power of God, and will come again to judge and give the new home for eternity. 3. All who hear should repent and be baptized. HIGHLIGHTS - CLCK Etago In the
Kisii Area of Kenya our brothers are working at six
stations with a total membership of 150 adults and 114 children. Kisii
and
Masai catechisms are used to instruct the people in the truths of God's
Word.
In a report from Pastor Enosh and the council they state, " Philippians
4:13 'I can do all things through Him who strengthens me', Luke 1:37
'For nothing
will be impossible with God.' Thanks to the Lord for enabling the light
of
Christ through the CLC mission to penetrate to the interior
parts...Etago CLC
is situated in the South Eastern part of Kenya...Kisii is in the
highland part
of Kenya where we have so many hills...Due to the high rate of HIV/AIDS
spread
in Kenya, so many children are left orphans. In a school for the
orphans...Up
to this time, the school is in standard two. The classes are: pre-unit,
Standard I and II...And Standard III for next year." The school has 88
children taught by three teachers. Each year the Etago congregation
hopes to
build one classroom until eight are finished as the school.
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