Ancient Future Ministries

Have you ever noticed that economic interested are often the wrapped up in religious piety (or political piety)? We demand that something is done but for selfish reasons.

A couple of interesting things has about mobs can be discovered in this passage. People who join crowds often have no real idea what the issue is. Benjamin Franklin said that a mob was “a monster with heads enough, but no brains.”

In Acts everytime Paul is brought before the Roman authorities the charges were always trumped up! He was never found guilty of any of the charges leveled against him. Mobs respond to an emotional plea with little or no substance. 

One Bible scholar said "Max Lerner wrote in The Unfinished Country, 'Every mob, in its ignorance and blindness and bewilderment, is a League of Frightened Men that seeks reassurance in collective action.' It was a 'religious mob' that shouted 'Crucify Him! Crucify Him!' to Pilate, and eventually got its way. Had this Ephesian mob succeeded in its plans, Paul would have been arrested and executed before the law could have stepped in to protect him." 

25,000 people in an arena most of them with no idea why they were there but all of them expressing their opinion with no idea what the true issues were.

Wisdom is rarely found in mobs!

This week's podcast has some interesting discussion on these topics.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

What is baptism?

When does a believer receive the Holy Spirit? 

Do all people speak in tongues when they are baptized?

Is there healing power in inanimate objects?

Can a non-believer in Christ drive out demons?

These are all issues that are covered in this podcast.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

What is the difference between blood on your hands and blood on your head?

What vow did Paul take and why did he have to cut his hair?

Priscilla & Aquila are wonderful lay leaders in the church who are able to help Apollos better understand our  Christian faith.

These are a few of questions we discuss in this podcast.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

The Apostle Paul travels to Corinth and established another church in this principal city in Acadia.

Apparently, the situation becomes dangerous and the Lord assures Paul that he has nothing to fear. We look at a number of other people in Scripture that God also tells them not to be afraid. When God is for us we have nothing to fear. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

The author, Luke, complemented the believers in Berea for their willingness to verify what they heard Paul preach. They also daily studied Scripture. How often do people do that today?

Is it right to use secular thinking to present the Gospel message? 

Is it Okay to use secular philosophies to prove your point?

When Paul presented his message to the people at the Areopagas (Mar's Hill) in Athens. While speaking he used secular poets and philosophers to make his case. 

How flexible should we be in our presentation of the Gospel?

These are some of the things we explore in this podcast.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Today's podcast deals with the miracle of the earthquake and the conversion of the Philippian Jailer. Additionally, we see the results of the false imprisonment of Paul and Silas and what it means to the fledgling church in Phillipi. 

Paul also moves on and opens a ministry in Thessaloniki the capital of Macedonia. While the ministry is fruitful the opposition is also fierce. 

We discuss how we can cope with opposition to the message of Christ.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

In this podcast we look at the launch of Paul's European mission. Specifically, we look at how and where he went about reaching potential people of faith. One of the early signs of faith are acts of faith - like Lydia's hospitality to the missionaries. 

As often happens successful ministries are challenged by Satan. Although Satan is the father of lies, he often uses truth to muddy the waters. We discuss the issue of demonic possession and demonic oppression. 

We also look at the question of when do we claim our rights and when might it be better to wait to claim our rights and privileges. 

These are some of the issues addressed in this podcast. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

When should you be willing to give up your rights, position or point of view for the sake of peace with another person? 

How can God use your strengths and weaknesses of your personality to get His work done?

If Gentiles didn't need to be circumcised, why did Timothy need to be circumcised? And how did his mixed background help him minister to both Jews and Gentile?

How did Paul know when the Holy Spirit closed areas of ministry? How did he respond to no?

How does God choose to speak to us today? We call this PEWS (People, Environment [circumstances], the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit).

These are the areas we discuss in this podcast.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

The Jerusalem Council's decision was written in a letter and they sent two witnesses from Jerusalem to verify the letter. Both of them, Judas and Silas were NT prophets who stayed in Antioch for a while where they taught. Silas later returned to Antioch where he joined Paul on his second missionary trip.

Why did Silas join Paul instead of Barnabas? Because Paul and Barnabas disagreed over personnel for the trip they decided to go there separate ways. 

Who was right?

Is unity more important than being right?

Can God use disagreements to further (or multiple) His ministry?

In this podcast, we discuss how to handle disagreements and what God's purpose is in all of these situations.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

James the Elder of the church in Jerusalem and he presides over the first ecumenical council. he refers David's Tent and we spend some time on this podcast unpacking the ramifications of this prophecy. The decision is made as to the Gentiles regarding the requirements of salvation and fellowship between the two groups. 

These are just some of the things we discuss in this podcast of Acts chapter fifteen. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.