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Good mornin' everybody!...My Christian brothers & sisters, the irresolutors & the heathens!, how is everyone today on this beautiful, hot & humid Friday, the 2nd day of September?...I'm fine myself thankyou!

Let me start today with the Lord's prayer. For you irresolutors & heathens, feel free to join in. Ok let's bow our heads and pray.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.----Matthew 6:9:13

Praise the Lord Almighty!!

The Book of Hebrews

The author is uncertain; some have suggested Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, Luke and others, written probably around A.D. 68, a few years before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70

Have you ever second-guessed yourself on a major decision and wondered if you have made a big mistake? The letter to the Hebrews deals with this concern among some Jewish Christians. Apparently, after some pressure and persecution, these believers were having second thoughts about their decision to leave Judaism to become Christians. So this letter shows how Christianity is superior to Judaism. In every way, Christ is shown to be better. As God, he is superior to angels, to Moses, and to the Old Testament priests. As a man, Jesus Christ is able to identify with our struggles. Jesus Christ sealed a new covenant that is far superior to the old covenant of Judaism. So the author encouraged the believers to move beyond questions about the basics of the faith and to follow the example of the many faithful men and women of the past, who followed God in the midst of persecution. The author concluded the letter with some personal greetings and thoughts.

Praise the Lord Almighty!!

AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

The apostles of Christ were the foundation stones of His Church. In Revelation 21:14 we are told that the twelve foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem will have in them the names of the twelve apostles. It is evident, therefore, that our Lord attaches great importance to these men.

As we study these courageous first-century lives, and what apostleship meant in the time of Christ, we may expect to be aided in developing a Spirit directed 21st-century discipleship as Christ must have meant it to be, along similar lines of vital experience, responsibility, consecration, and achievement.

The information compiled herein utilizes the New Testament accounts of these men, and the most respected legends and traditions. We do not mean to infer, thereby, that legend and tradition constitute historical fact. We do feel, however, that they do have value in the study of the lives of these men who ".....upset the world..."

Simon Peter, son of Jonas, was a fisherman who lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum. He did evangelistic and missionary work among the person, going as far as Babylon. Tradition says he was crucified, head downward. Scholars ascribe 1 and 2 Peter to him. He was a member of the Inner Circle.

In every apostolic list, the name Peter is mentioned first. However, Peter had other names. At the time of Christ, the common language was Greek and the family language was Hebrew. So, his Greek name was Simon (Mark 1:16; John 1:40, 41). His Hebrew name was Cephas (1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5 and Gal. 2:9) The Greek meaning of Simon is rock. The Arabic meaning of Cephas is also rock.

By trade, Peter was a fisherman. He was a married man (1 Cor. 9:5) and his home was Capernaum. Jesus probably made His headquarters there when He visited Capernaum. Peter was also a Galilean and was typical of many of the other disciples. As Josephus described the Galileans, "they were ever fond of innovation and by nature disposed to change and delighted in sedition. They were ever ready to follow the leader and to begin an insurrection. They were quick in temper and given to quarreling and they were very chivalrous men." The Talmud says this of the Galileans, "They were more anxious for honor than for gain, quick tempered, impulsive, emotional, easily aroused by an appeal to adventure, loyal to the end." Peter was a typical Galilean.

Among the twelve, Peter was the leader. He stands out as a spokesman for all the apostles. It is he who asked the meaning of the difficult saying (Matt. 15:15). It is he who asked how often he must forgive. It is he who inquired about the reward for all of those who follow Jesus. It is he who first confessed Jesus and declared Him as the Son of the Living God. It is he who was at the Mount of Transfiguration. It is he who saw Jairus' daughter raised to life. Yet, it is he who denied Christ before a maiden. He was an apostle and a missionary who laid down his life for his Lord. It is true, Peter had many faults, but he had always the saving grace of the loving heart. No matter how many times he had fallen and failed, he always recovered his courage and integrity.

Peter was martyred on the cross. Peter requested that he might be crucified head downward for he was not worthy to die as his Lord had died. His apostolic symbol is a cross upside down with crossed keys. The keys represent Peter as holder of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Good mornin' everybody!...My Christian brothers & sisters, the irresolutors & the heathens!, how is everyone today on this beautiful, hot & humid Monday, the 5th day of September?...I'm fine myself thankyou!

Let me start today with the Lord's prayer. For you irresolutors & heathens, feel free to join in. Ok let's bow our heads and pray.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.----Matthew 6:9:13

Praise the Lord Almighty!!

The Book of James

The author was James, the half brother of Jesus, a leader in the Jerusalem church, written probably around A.D. 49, prior to the Jerusalem Council held in A.D. 50

Actions speak louder than words. The old adage comes through loud and clear in the book of James. This book attacks the notion that becoming a Christian is simply a matter of assenting to a few spiritual truths without experiencing any real change in behavior or thinking. James was a leader in the church at Jerusalem, and so this book has a very Jewish flavor. It contains many short, proverbial sayings and resembles the teachings of Jesus---especially the Sermon on the Mount. James addressed several matters in which Christian behavior should reflect Christian faith. He discussed pride, discrimination, greed, lust, hypocrisy, worldiness, and slander. James used several analogies to show how true faith must evidence itself in good works. He compared it to a tree bearing only the kind of fruit that belongs to it. Because of the book's emphasis on good works, it is a very practical book regarding the Christian life.

Praise the Lord Almighty!!

AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

The apostles of Christ were the foundation stones of His Church. In Revelation 21:14 we are told that the twelve foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem will have in them the names of the twelve apostles. It is evident, therefore, that our Lord attaches great importance to these men.

As we study these courageous first-century lives, and what apostleship meant in the time of Christ, we may expect to be aided in developing a Spirit directed 21st-century discipleship as Christ must have meant it to be, along similar lines of vital experience, responsibility, consecration, and achievement.

The information compiled herein utilizes the New Testament accounts of these men, and the most respected legends and traditions. We do not mean to infer, thereby, that legend and tradition constitute historical fact. We do feel, however, that they do have value in the study of the lives of these men who ".....upset the world..."

Tradition says the Philip preached in Phrygia and died a martyr at Hierapolis. Philip came from Bethsaida, the town from which Peter and Andrew came (John 1:44). The likelihood is that he, too, was a fisherman. Although the first three Gospels record his name (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:130, it is in the Gospel of John that Philip becomes a living personality.

Scholars disagree on Philip. In Acts 6:5, we have Philip as one of the seven ordained deacons. Some say this is a different Philip. Some believe this is the apostle. If this is the same Philip, then his personality came much more to life because he had a successful campaign in Samaria. He led the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ (Acts 8:26-40). He also stayed with Paul in Caesarea (Acts 21:8) and was one of the major figures in the missionary enterprise of the early church.

The Gospel of John shows Philip as one of the first of many to whom Jesus addressed the words, "Follow Me." When Philip met Christ, he immediately discovered Nathanael and told him that "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote. " Nathanael was skeptical. Philip did not argue with him; he simply answered, "Come and see." This story tells us two important things about Philip. First, it shows his right approach to the skeptic and his simple faith in Christ. Second, it shows that he had a missionary instinct.

Philip was a man with a warm heart and a pessimistic head. He was one who would very much like to do something for others, but who did not see how it could be done. Yet, this simple Galilean gave all he had. In return God used him. It is said that he died by hanging. While he was dying, he requested that his body be wrapped not in linen but in papyrus for he was not worthy that even his dead body should be treated as the body of Jesus had been treated. The symbol of Philip is a basket, because of his part in the feeding of the five thousand. It is he that stressed the cross as a sign of Christianity and victory.

Good mornin' everybody!...My Christian brothers & sisters, the irresolutors & the heathens!, how is everyone today on this beautiful, hot & humid Friday, the 9th day of September?...I'm fine myself thankyou!

Let me start today with the Lord's prayer. For you irresolutors & heathens, feel free to join in. Ok let's bow our heads and pray.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.----Matthew 6:9:13

Praise the Lord Almighty!!

AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

The apostles of Christ were the foundation stones of His Church. In Revelation 21:14 we are told that the twelve foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem will have in them the names of the twelve apostles. It is evident, therefore, that our Lord attaches great importance to these men.

As we study these courageous first-century lives, and what apostleship meant in the time of Christ, we may expect to be aided in developing a Spirit directed 21st-century discipleship as Christ must have meant it to be, along similar lines of vital experience, responsibility, consecration, and achievement.

The information compiled herein utilizes the New Testament accounts of these men, and the most respected legends and traditions. We do not mean to infer, thereby, that legend and tradition constitute historical fact. We do feel, however, that they do have value in the study of the lives of these men who ".....upset the world..."

Simon, the Zealot, one of the little-known followers called the Canaanite or Zelotes, lived in Galilee. Tradition says he was crucified.

The New Testament gives us practically nothing on him personally except that it says he was a Zealot. The Zealots were fanatical Jewish Nationalists who had heroic disregard for the suffering involved and the struggle for what they regarded as the purity of their faith. The Zealots were crazed with hatred for the Romans. It was this hate for Rome that destroyed the city of Jerusalem. Josephus says the Zealots were reckless persons zealous in good practices and extravagant and reckless in the worst actions.

From this background, we see that Simon was a fanatical Nationalist, a man devoted to the Law, a man with bitter hatred for anyone who dared to compromise with Rome. Yet, Simon clearly emerged as a man of faith. He abandoned all his hatred for the faith that he showed toward his Master and the love that he was willing to share with the rest of the disciples and especially Matthew, the Roman tax collector.

Simon, the Zealot, the man who once would have killed in loyalty to Israel, became the man who saw that God will have no forced service. Tradition says he died as a martyr. His apostolic symbol is a fish lying of a Bible, which indicates he was a former fisherman who became a fisher of men through preaching.

Good mornin' everybody!...My Christian brothers & sisters, the irresolutors & the heathens!, how is everyone today on this beautiful, warm Monday, the 12th day of September?...I'm fine myself thankyou!

Let me start today with the Lord's prayer. For you irresolutors & heathens, feel free to join in. Ok let's bow our heads and pray.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.----Matthew 6:9:13

Praise the Lord Almighty!!

The Book of 2 Peter

The author was Peter, written around A.D. 67, shortly before his execution

Like a road sign warning of danger ahead, Peter's second letter, written shortly before his death, alerts readers to the coming return of the Lord. In light of the Lord's imminent return, Peter urged his readers to live lives that would glorify God. He also cautioned them to watch out for false teachers, who would distort the gospel. These evil workers will receive their punishment when the Lord returns. Peter instructed his readers to pay no attention to scoffers who cast doubt into the minds of believers regarding the return of the Lord. He assured them that the Lord will indeed return and establish a new heaven and a new earth. The letter closes with a final comment about Paul's letters, noting that they are difficult to understand. Peter warned his readers against those who might twist Paul's words to justify their own lawless actions, and he encouraged them to continually grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Praise the Lord Almighty!!

AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

The apostles of Christ were the foundation stones of His Church. In Revelation 21:14 we are told that the twelve foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem will have in them the names of the twelve apostles. It is evident, therefore, that our Lord attaches great importance to these men.

As we study these courageous first-century lives, and what apostleship meant in the time of Christ, we may expect to be aided in developing a Spirit directed 21st-century discipleship as Christ must have meant it to be, along similar lines of vital experience, responsibility, consecration, and achievement.

The information compiled herein utilizes the New Testament accounts of these men, and the most respected legends and traditions. We do not mean to infer, thereby, that legend and tradition constitute historical fact. We do feel, however, that they do have value in the study of the lives of these men who ".....upset the world..."

Thomas Didymus lived in Galilee. Tradition says he labored in Parthia, Persia, and India, suffering martyrdom near Madras, at Mt. St. Thomas, India.

Thomas was his Hebrew name and Didymus was his Greek name. At times he was called Judas. Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us nothing about Thomas except his name. However, John defines him more clearly in his Gospel. Thomas appeared in the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-16), in the Upper Room (John 14:1-6) where he wanted to know how to know the way were Jesus was going. In John 20:24, 25, we see him saying unless he sees the nailprints in Jesus' hand and the gash of the spear in His side he will not believe. That's why Thomas became known as Doubting Thomas.

Thomas became certain by doubting. By nature, he was a pessimist. He was a bewildered man. Yet, he was a man of courage. He was a man who could not believe until he had seen. He was a man of devotion and of faith. When Jesus rose, he came back and invited Thomas to put his finger in the nailprints in his hands and in his side. Here, we see Thomas making the greatest confession of faith, "My Lord and my God." Thomas doubts were transformed into faith.

Thomas was always like a little child. His first reaction was not to do what he was told to do and not to believe what he was asked to believe. The good news to him was always too good to be true. By this very fact Thomas' faith became great, intense, and convincing. It is said that he was commisioned to build a palace for the king of India, and he was killed with a spear as a martyr for his Lord. His symbol is a group of spears, stones, and arrows.