The apostle Paul defines a Christian and brings the whole bible together in a few letters to new christians in new churches. They are believing in God and Jesus Christ but are still trying to build a church and learn how to live a Christian life.
Paul used to believe that the Christians were leading people away from God. They were wrong and he was killing Christians. Paul was a man on a mission before God changed him and used him to be one of the most devoted apostles.
Now Paul is being thrown in jail for being a christian. Sitting in a dungeon, chained, not only does he rejoice in Christ but he also converts the guards and other prisoners. His letters are extremely encouraging to the new christians.
My favorite is Philippians and Hebrews (especially Hebrews). If you feel that life is sometimes extremely tough, it is nice to have his example and re-focus on the goals that he set.
Paul like most apostles were beheaded for being christians.
The following excerpt is taken from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, First Edition, article "Paul the Apostle." :
"When Paul writes again to Timothy he has had a winter in prison, and has suffered greatly from the cold and does not wish to spend another winter in the Mamertine (probably) prison (2Timothy 4:13, 21). We do not know what the charges now are. They may have been connected with the burning of Rome. There were plenty of informers eager to win favor with Nero. Proof was not now necessary. Christianity is no longer a religion under the shelter of Judaism. It is now a crime to be a Christian. It is dangerous to be seen with Paul now, and he feels the desertion keenly (2Timothy 1:15ff; 4:10). Only Luke, the beloved physician, is with Paul (2Timothy 4:11), and such faithful ones as live in Rome still in hiding (2Timothy 4:21). "Paul hopes that Timothy may come and bring Mark also ( 2Timothy 4:11). Apparently Timothy did come and was put into prison (Hebrews 13:23). Paul is not afraid. He knows that he will die. He has escaped the mouth of the lion (2Timothy 4:17), but he will die (2Timothy 4:18). The Lord Jesus stood by him, perhaps in visible presence (2Timothy 4:17). The tradition is, for now Paul fails us, that Paul, as a Roman citizen, was beheaded on the Ostian Road just outside of Rome. Nero died June, 68 AD, so that Paul was executed before that date, perhaps in the late spring of that year (or 67). Perhaps Luke and Timothy were with him. It is fitting, as Findlay suggests, to let Paul's words in 2Timothy 4:6-8 serve for his own epitaph. He was ready to go to be with Jesus, as he had long wished to be (Philippians 1:23)"
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I am not very Bible educated and can't remember things anymore but I do remember being impressed by Nehemiah. He was such a hard worker and accomplished what was thought to be the impossible by taking things in baby steps and lots of prayer. He was determined to try to trust and obey God. He had alot of opposition and yet got the job done. Sort of reminds me of dad. Just dig in and do it attitude.
ReplyDelete"No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind."
Nehemiah 6.8--Of course I don't have that memorized but I looked it up because I sort of remembered him saying something that hit me because I know my mind invents things.
BUT--PEOPLE OF HIS TIME REGARDED HIM AS A LIAR. I think probably like a policital figure.
Brent-I need to discuss more of how and why or why not God doesn't make his presence known for people that are seeking. I am discovering more and more seekers that just give up.
Let me throw out a possibility. Has God made himself known but not in the way you want Him too. Has He been talking to you through a lot of different avenues such as people at the pregnancy center, song, internet, bible, family and friends? Has He not blessed you with a great family and adorable grandbabies? How can He bless you more than Ethan and Shelby? Has He not provided for you with a good job with great co-workers? I know you have pain. I know you want companionship. I know you want God to answer your prayers in a very specific way. I think God is looking at you and saying "I am standing here, facing you with my arms wide open. Just come to me and love me. We will overcome the pain together".
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