| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| The omission of the majority of the Apostles in the Book of Acts, and where they are found later, provides an important KEY in the study of the beginning of the...church in Rome. | The omission of the majority of the Apostles in the book of Acts, and where they are found later, provides an important key in the study of our heritage. | ||||||||||
| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| We know that the patriarch Jacob had 12 sons. All descendants of Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) are known as Israelites. They were the ancestors in the direct line of the 12 tribes of Israel. | Knowledgeable Bible students know that the patriarch Jacob had 12 sons. All the descendants of Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) are known as Israelites. They were the progenitors of the 12 tribes of Israel. | ||||||||||
| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| During His ministry, Jesus made some striking statements. On one occasion He told His disciples "...I am NOT sent, but unto the lost sheep of the House of Israel" (Matt. 15:24). His personal ministry was taken up mostly with the "Jews" in the land of Judah. | During His ministry Jesus made some striking statements. On one occasion He told His disciples ". . . I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:24)...His personal ministry was taken up with the Jews in the land of Judah. | ||||||||||
| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| What happened to the original apostles? Perhaps the Jewish historian, Josephus, gives us a clue. Josephus said in his day there were only two tribes in subjection to the Romans, and that the 10 tribes were located beyond the river Euphrates and could not be estimated, as they were such immense multitudes. Clearly, Christ's instruction to His Apostles to "go to the lost sheep house of Israel" was much broader in scope than the land of Palestine... | What happened to these original Apostles? Perhaps the Jewish historian, Josephus, gives us a clue. Josephus said in his day there were only two tribes in subjection to the Romans, and that the ten tribes were located beyond the river Euphrates and could not be estimated as they were such an immense multitude (Ant., XI, v, 2). Clearly, Christ’s instruction to His Apostles to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel was much broader in scope than the environs of Palestine. | ||||||||||
| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| During the time of the Apostles, the Roman world was a secure place to dwell. It was under the protection of the Roman army. There was one government from Babylon to Calais, and there were roads leading everywhere. Some of these roads still exist today. | During the time of the Apostles, the Roman world was a secure place to dwell. It was under the protection of the Roman army. There was one government from Babylon to Calais, and there were roads leading everywhere. Some of these roads still exist today. | ||||||||||
| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| Travel was safe and frequent. On these military roads, a Roman citizen could travel from Babylon to London with little inconvenience. | Travel was safe and frequent. On these military roads a Roman citizen could travel from Babylon to London with little inconvenience. | ||||||||||
| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| Communication in the Roman world made possible the rapid expansion of the Gospel. All evidence indicates that a large portion of the early British people professed Christianity. | Communication in the Roman world made possible the rapid expansion of the gospel. All evidence indicates that a large portion of the early British people professed Christianity. | ||||||||||
| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| The British historian Gildas (A.D. 516-570) wrote that Christianity was introduced into Britain in A.D. 38, during the last year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. | The British historian Gildas (AD 516–570) wrote that Christianity was introduced into Britain in AD 38, during the last year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar | ||||||||||
| Nate | BCoG | ||||||||||
| Even as early as the 2nd century, Tertullian (160-220), one of the early Church apostolic Fathers wrote that the extremities of Spain, parts of Gaul, and the region of Britain which had never been penetrated by the Roman arms had received the religion of Christ. | Even as early as the second century AD, Tertullian wrote that the extremities of Spain, parts of Gaul, and the regions of Britain which had never been penetrated by Roman arms had received the religion of Christ. | ||||||||||
"A call for upright conduct that will help, rather than hinder, the moral welfare of others, especially the "lame" who waver in the Christian faith."
"The Roman orator Cicero states that incest was practically unheard of in Roman society. His father's wife suggested that the woman was his "stepmother." The Old Testament prohibited such sexual relations."
"Paul here clarifies a previous letter (one not preserved). The Corinthians mistook that letter to mean that, on separating from sin, they should disassociate themselves from ALL immoral persons, including Non-Christian people. Instead, Paul meant that they should separate from immoral person in the Church who claimed to be Christian brothers."
"Calling oneself a Christian while continuing to live an immoral life is degrading, and gives a false testimony to Christ. If true Christians has intimate association with someone who does this, the Non-Christian world may assumed that the Church "Approves" such immoral, ungodly living, and thus the name of Christ would be dishonored."
"Paul here identifies three kinds of sexual immoral persons: Adulterers, male prostitutes, and males who practice homosexuality. Paul adds the category of females who practice homosexuality, people who engage in such practice, as well as the other offenders listed are "Explicitly", excluded from God's Kingdom."