Colossal characters - stars of the first magnitude

by Julie Swannell

I’ve often thought it would be interesting to do a study of how some new inventions appeared simultaneously on opposite sides of the globe.  Of course, there is nothing new to God, Spirit, divine Love.  He has made everything good and spiritual.  But mankind may need to prepare thought for the reception of a new idea.  So, even though Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) had wonderful sketches of flying machines, a useful device in which to get airborne did not appear on the world scene until centuries later.

Jesus and Saul/Paul were contemporaries.  Saul would surely have been aware of Jesus ministry, his “gospel” news, his remarkable teaching, and his unsurpassed healing work.  Following Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, Saul would have watched Jesus’ followers

Paul persuades

by Joyce Voysey

Back to Paul and Felix: Felix was almost convinced by Paul’s reasoning of “righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.”  He said, “When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”  He also seems to have expected Paul to bribe him to gain his freedom.  However, they seem to have many “chats.”  Luke, our author, just pops in the information that Paul remained a prisoner for two years;

Paul the disciple

by Joyce Voysey

Chapter 21: Paul didn’t heed the first warning not to proceed to Jerusalem, nor the warning from Agabus, a prophet.  No doubt he was aware that it would not be easy for him in Jerusalem, but he had to go there.  (Ed. Verse 13 is powerfully poignant: “Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?  For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus”)

He was accused of

Trade and shipping

by Joyce Voysey

I tried to look into Diana of the Ephesians, but have decided to give this mythological goddess a miss at this time.  The silversmiths at Ephesus were keen to keep their trade in making silver shrines to the goddess.  Paul’s teaching of the one God would put them out of business.  The town clerk soothes the tensions.  Paul moves on.

Understand each other

by Julie Swannell

I have been very interested to read about the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost as the KJV translators have it) in "Acts" and wonder if we today are as inclined to expect and identify the presence of the power of God in our lives.  At our testimony meeting tonight, someone suggested that we can feel

Knowledge of Salvation

by Joyce Voysey

One thing that I notice in Chapter 17 is that Paul “reasoned, preached, disputed, declared.”  Reasoned with the Thessalonians; disputed and preached at Berea and Athens; declared at Mars’ Hill in Athens.  The declaring at Athens was Paul’s delightful speech,

Lydia -a seller of purple

Joyce Voysey

 

Chapter 16 of Acts records the conversion of both Lydia (a seller of purple at Thyatira, a city in what is now western Turkey) and the keeper of the prison where Paul and Silas were imprisoned.  There is always opposition and set-backs but the work goes on.  The spread of Jesus’ teaching is dramatic.  The chapter ends with Lydia providing a place for Paul and Silas after their release from prison.  It seems to me that we are left with

The spirit of the book of Acts continues today

Readers will surely enjoy this piece from a recent "Church Alive" segment on www.christianscience.com, especially as the author, Nathan Frederick, takes us right into the book of Acts and then back to the twenty-first century!  And if you've already read it, it's great to re-visit!  Here's the link:
http://christianscience.com/member-resources/for-churches/church-alive/church-healings-experiences-videos/your-church-experiences/circling-around-a-church-retreat

Journeying on

In Acts Chapter 15 we have the problem of circumcision - necessary or not?  And we have the breaking up of the Barnabas/Paul combo.  Barnabas took John Mark and Paul chose Silas.  “And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.”  He went back to see how the communities they had converted were doing.

Supplement hymns - what joy

from Joyce Voysey

I’ve come to Hymn 401 Thou whose almighty Word, the first one in the Supplement at the end of the Hymnal.  A little explanation: This first hymn in the Supplement “offers an example of tunes repeated from the main body of the book, usually in a simpler form.  Other hymns and tunes were chosen, or were restored from the 1910 edition, too late to have their alphabetical place in the book.”

There is a long note about Hymn 412, O Dreamer.  One man said of the air that it is “one of the most perfect in existence.” The notes go into much detail about the music, even pointing out how we need a high note every now then in order to “soar.” Perhaps I have said before that one could have this hymn as part of about every Christian Science service.  Wonderful words by Rosa M. Turner, a Christian Scientist.

Let us sing of Easter gladness.  What joy!  I like the sentiment that the words by Frances Thompson Hell, a Christian Scientist ,“show that no limited Easter celebration belongs to the Christian Science churches, because the Resurrection may be discerned, and sung, on any and every day.”  I must be a bit dull, for I have never thought of having the song on any day other than Easter Sunday.  But then, I find that it is really appreciated on that day as a special part of the joy of that Resurrection Day.

Having attended the Methodist Sunday School as a young child, I appreciate the Moody and Sankey hymns.  I love to tell the story is one of them.  It must have been in a song book published by them.  The words are by Kate Hankey, and were appreciated, even quoted, by Mrs. Eddy.  See The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany p. 15.

Hymnal Note for Hymn 422 Grace for today, has some beautiful comments about Beethoven.  I specially appreciate at this time his comment about his deafness (stricken at about 30 years) “…it shall not drag me down.”

Wonderful words to Hymn 423 – see Hymn 69 Give me, O Lord, an understanding heart.

And so I close the Hymnal and Hymnal Notes for this time.  What a great time I have had!

How I am being blessed by the Redcliffe Reading Room Book Club!

Sanctuary

posted by Julie Swannell

My understanding is that for the Jewish people, there was only one Temple, and that was at Jerusalem.  Synagogues, on the other hand could be located anywhere.  This is helpful to know as we read the book of Acts.

Wikipedia has some interesting information.  I especially love this – ‘In Judaism, the ancient Hebrew texts refer not to temples, the word having not existed yet, but to a "sanctuary", "palace" or "hall."’ 

The concept of a sanctuary is one I’d not given much thought until I heard Christian Science lecturer Fujiko Signs use it during a fascinating interview by Scout Bartlett on KEST radio in the US and replayed on the Christian Science program on www.bayfm.org.au last Sunday morning (and to be re-played this coming Sunday).   I love that the dictionary defines a sanctuary as (in part): any place of refuge.”  Of course it’s also a “sacred or holy place.”  And I think of safety, freedom from outside pressures; a place of peace and regeneration.  Let’s hope our churches provide that kind of space for all its congregants.

Here’s the Wikipedia reference for those interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple#Jewish_synagogues_and_temples

In its proper dress - the work of Paul and Barnabas

by contributor Joyce Voysey

It occurred to me recently that the chapter “Prayer” in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy puts prayer into its proper dress, so to speak.  It comprehensively points out the errors of the old way and gives us the right way to pray.

Then it occurred to me that the whole book Science and Health is setting Christianity right, pointing out how it had gone wrong over the centuries since Christ, and presenting to us the way to live a Christian life. 

Finally, it occurred to me that Christ and Christianity pointed out where the Jewish religion had gone wrong.  There is a wonderful article in the April 1897 edition of The Christian Science Journal which tells of a Jewish rabbi’s journey out of the Jewish religion into Christianity, including that rabbi’s child’s conversion into Christian Science.  See http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1897/4/15-1/retro-experience.  Or find it in hard copy on the shelves at your local Christian Science Reading Room – “Retro Experience.”

All that inspiration is the result of reading of Paul and Barnabas’ wonderful work among the Gentiles as well as the Jews, which the “unbelieving” Jews became enraged about.  Particularly Acts 14:1, 2.  Our heroes fled to Lystra and Derbe.  At Lystra, we find the man who had been crippled from birth standing upright on his feet and leaping and walking.  What joy!

Next Paul and Barnabas were worshipped as the gods Jupiter and Mercury.  Then we read of the stoning of Paul and his escape when the disciples “stood round about him.”  Verse 27 sounds like a testimony given at a Christian Science church.

There is so much of interest to mention!  Hear this from Dummelow:

The curious second-century romance, ‘The Acts of Paul and Thecla’, gives many additional particulars of St. Paul’s proceedings at Iconium, some of which, perhaps, are authentic.  Thecla, who belonged to one of the chief families of Iconium, overheard from a window the preaching of the apostle.  She was at that time engaged to a young man named Thamyris, but on hearing St. Paul’s words she became so enamoured of virginity that she broke off her engagement.  For this interference with family life, and for impiety, St. Paul was scourged and expelled from the city, and Thecla was condemned to be burnt alive.  A fall of rain extinguished the fire, and she escaped and followed Paul to Antioch.  Here again she was persecuted, but was rescued by Tryphaena, a lady of great influence.  The presbyter who composed this romance (though it was probably founded on fact) was deposed from his office.

Detective Work, the Psalms, and M. Fannie Whitney

Have you ever wondered about the notes at the beginning of man of the Psalms?  Hymnal Notes’ Note 371 gives us some clues: 

“In Genung’s Guidebook to Biblical Literature (p.445), the reference “to the chief Musician” is explained, with the Hebrew words that accompany it.  “To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith” (Psalm 6) means “on stringed instruments, on the octave, that is, with men’s voices.  To continue, “A song upon Alamoth” (Psalm 46) means “set to women’s voices.”  “Upon Nehiloth” (Psalm 5) probably means “with wind instruments.”  Such phrases as “Aijeleth Shahar” (Psalm 22) or “Jonathelem-recholim” (Psalm 56) are names of the familiar folk songs to which these Psalms were set, showing that, like many Christian hymn tunes, ...the earlier religious melody of Israel had a popular origin.”

The compilers of the Hymnal Notes were good detectives.  The hymn We thank Thee, Heavenly Father (376) was originally marked anonymous, but “careful search discovered them in The Christian Science Journal, July, 1894, placed at the end of a prose article.”  M. Fannie Whitney, the writer of the article admitted they were her words.  She had been “content in knowing they were useful.”

An article by Fannie echoes “the correcting rod” theme of the hymn.  See “Lessons from a homely experience” Christian Science Sentinel March 25, 1905 http://sentinel.christianscience.com/issues/1905/3/7-30/lessons-from-a-homely-experience).  Interestingly, I found an article by Fannie in the July 1, 1894 Journal, but could find no poem at the end of it.* What an exciting thing it is to be a periodicals detective these days with the help of JSH On-line.

Joyce Voysey

 

*Ed.  I have just found the poem “We Thank Thee Heavenly Father” here http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1894/7/12-4/we-thank-thee-heavenly-father

It follows the article mentioned above, “The Father’s Care” by the same author.  http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1894/7/12-4/the-father-s-care

 

The Word is out

Acts Chapter 13.  We have Paul with Barnabas going forth to spread the Word off-shore to the island of Cyprus, of which Barnabas was a native.  The Holy Ghost is prominent here, e.g. the brethren are told to send Barnabas and Saul (Paul) off to do the work prepared for them; they are sent forth by the Holy Ghost; and Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost as he handled the matter of Elymas the sorcerer.

Venus was worshipped at Paphos, the seat of government on Cyprus, and the town had a reputation for laxity of morals. 

Well, it seems we can refer to Paul’s Epistle to the Galations with regard to verses 14-52.  My faithful Dummelow (One Volume Bible Commentary) has this to say:

“The cities which the apostles now proceeded to evangelise (Pisidian, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe) were situated in the southern part of the Roman province of Galatia, and it is now very generally supposed that the Epistle to the Galatians was addressed to the churches in these cities.  If so, we can use that Epistle to illustrate this narrative.” 

We find Paul in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia.  He is requested to speak – “…if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”  This is an invitation to give the sermon or instruction which was (and is) always the fifth part of the synagogue’s Sabbath service.  The other parts are:

(1) The recitation of the Shema (Deut. 6:4-9, 11:13-21, Num 15:37-41);

(2) fixed prayers and benedictions;

(3) a lesson from the Law;

(4) a lesson from the Prophets, intended to illustrate the law.

Paul’s sermon relates the history of the Jewish people leading up to Jesus, and emphasises David’s place in the golden thread of Christ’s coming, and the blessing left to them by Jesus’ message.  He invites them to share that blessing.

Hello!  The Gentiles requested that Paul preach the same truths to them.  By the next Sabbath “…came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”  And, boy! Did that stir up the Jews – they “expelled Paul and Barnabas from their coasts.” 

However, it seems the converts stood firm.

Joyce Voysey

Ed.  I love the charmingly vivid language used by Luke in this book e.g. Acts 13: 16 “Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel...give audience.”  We are invited into the scene and can almost feel the expectation in the room as they wait for Paul to respond to their questions.  

It’s also interesting to note that verse 14 tells us Paul and company “went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down”.  Where did they sit? In the preacher’s or teacher’s seat.  All teaching was carried out while sitting.

Dictionary persuasion

An interesting note in Hymnal Notes for Hymn 366’s author: 

"The great work of Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) was his Musical Treatise, with a title in nine lines of Latin, showing that it covered most of what was known of the history of music and its ancient and (then) modern practice.  The account of this monumental work has a certain reproof for readers of our time, many of whom can hardly be persuaded to use even a dictionary."

Joyce Voysey

Ed. Hymn 366 begins: "Wait, my soul, upon the Lord" and each verse concludes with the stirring words: "As thy days thy strength shall be". 
Readers may be more familiar with the setting of these words in hymn 365.

James, Peter, and Rhoda

James, the elder brother of John, was the first Christian martyr after Stephen – about 10 years after - 44 AD!   I have read that this James, whose mother was Salome (this is not the James of the Epistle, who was said to be the brother of Jesus) was the leader of the Christians.  Perhaps that is why Herod “killed [him] with the sword” chopping off the head of this troublesome sect.  No doubt Herod didn’t do the deed himself.

That happening seems to have been over very quickly. Herod was so pleased with himself that he had pleased the Jews by this act that he decided to take Peter also.  He put him in prison.  We are told of the wonderful experience Peter had when an angel came and released him.  Actually Peter’s prayers, and no doubt those of his brethren, caused his chains to fall off from his hands.

Soon we have the delightful story of Rhoda, a young girl who came at Peter’s knock at the door of the gate at the house of Mary the mother of John Mark.  She was in so much of a dither that she left him there at the gate, while she rushed in with the news that Peter was there.  “It is his angel,” the folk said.  Peter had to keep up the knocking before he was let into the house.

With Herod’s demise we have an example of what can happen when God is not given the glory.  He had accepted the people’s idolatry of him as a god.

Joyce Voysey

Zacchaeus' tree - the Sycamore fig

Ed: As Luke is the author of our book this month (Acts) and, as this week we have a story from his first book viz. Luke in our Bible Lesson, the following from our loyal correspondent Joyce Voysey will be of interest to our readers:

I looked up the variety of sycamore tree which grows in the Middle East, and which I believe is the one Zacchaeus climbed (see Luke chapter 19) and found a short post on www.treesofjoy.com – see following (with a few grammatical corrections by Ed.).