Ancient Future Ministries

The church faced one of the most difficult times from internal dissension. I'm sure the people who showed up in Antioch were well-meaning and considered themselves to be mature believers. But they caused confusion and concern for the Gentile believers. 

What were the requirements for salvation? Did one have to convert to Judaism? After all, Jesus was a Jew and the first followers were all Jews. What about the yoke of the Law? wasn't it a good thing? Why did Peter say it was bad and that no one was capable of living up to the requirements?

This chapter of Acts will take us a while to process. You will want to listen to all of the broadcasts for Acts chapter 15 to understand the significance of this passage.

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

Paul & Barnabas missionary journey continues throughout the middle of what is now central Turkey. They see many come to faith in Christ both Jew and Gentile. But they also encounter opposition from Jews, Gentile ladies and as a result some local leaders. Our two missionaries are mistaken for gods for healing a person. They refute the honor and the result is that Paul is stoned but survives. 

Isn't it interesting that they refuse to steal what is only owed to God - glory, and worship for the miracle? Why are we so quick to ask for God's help and then claim the glory for ourselves when He moves on our behalf?

How would choose to teach something that is a lie only to suffer persecution and then continue teaching the same message if it wasn't true?

These are just some of the issues 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

In this podcast we address our response to the rejection of our message and persecution. 

Paul and Barnabas encounter fierce persecution while witnessing in Iconium. Pisidia. Paul and Barnabas travel about 100 miles to Iconium. And their persecutors follow them!

Have you noticed how those who persecute often continue to follow those they persecute? They seem to have a hard time letting go of their desire to persecute those they think are in the wrong.

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

Paul becomes the defacto leader of the missionary journey. He and Barnabus speak at the Jewish Synagogue and a number of Jews and God-fearing Gentiles believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

How do you handle changes in leadership?

Notice that Paul and Barnabas begin their message where the recipients' knowledge is. In the next chapter when addressing Gentiles who are not familiar with monotheism, Paul goes back to creation with his message.

What is your response when people disagree with you and actively seek to persecute you for your beliefs?

These are some of the issues discussed 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.

 

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In Acts chapter 13 the local church obeys the Spirit's leading.

It is interesting that the Spirit speaks to a church that worships, prays and fasts. John Piper has said that a worshiping church won't need a mission because the Spirit will lead people to go and expand the Kingdom. 

The western church often fails to do on a regular basis it is fasting.

These are some of the subjects we cover in this week's 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.

King Herod Agrippa (grandson of Herod the Great) has Peter arrested and planned to put him to death to curry political favors from the Jews. 

How do you react to trying circumstances? How should the church pray when faced with a crisis?

Peter is released by an angel. One interesting thing is that when God provides a miracle he doesn't waste it on the mundane. He leaves the mundane for us to do, like tying his sandals.

What happens when God answers our prayers but we have a hard time believing He answered them? 

What can we learn from Peter's attitude in a crisis?

When Herod claims equality with God, God strikes him with a killing disease. So how does Herod's example serve as an example serve as a warning to us today/

These are some of the questions we look into 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 your reaction to things being done a new way? A way that is different from the traditions of the past? What if the truth remains the same but the practices are not the same due to cultural differences?

Barabas is true to his nickname (Encourager) He reviews the situation and not only embraces the differences he goes and gets someone who sees things like the church in Antioch - Paul!

How can we be more like Barnabas when faced with changes in our traditions?

And what can we learn from the early church in its care for believers in need that are in other countries?

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.

Have you ever had to defend your God-given ministry to others who weren't sure if you were doing the "right" way? 

After explaining God's visions and how the Spirit made it abundantly clear that He approved of the Gentiles becoming citizens of the Kingdom of God those who questioned accepted Gentiles into full fellowship (at least for a time). Of course, the issue would come up again in the following chapters of Acts.

Have you ever wondered "Why?" God chooses to confound our traditions and sometimes our manmade theologies?

These are some of the questions we tackle 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 of Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

What would you do if you were asked by God to reach out and minister to a people from another race or culture?  

Especially if all your life you had been taught that these people were inferior to your race and culture? Everything about them would foreign to you. 

Are different cultures necessarily evil? Or are they just different?

Remember when Jesus came to earth He also had to learn a new culture. Being fully divine and becoming fully human, he had to learn to adapt to a new culture in order to reach that culture.

These are some of the issues 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 of Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Each time a new people group experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit accompanying the speaking in tongues Peter seems to be present. Have you ever asked why? 

Why these twin visions? This passage includes one of two double visions recorded in Acts. Both the centurion Cornelius has a vision about Peter and Peter has a vision that prepares him to minister to Gentiles seeking to know more about Jesus Christ.

Are there people or groups of people that we are uncomfortable being around, let alone ministering to them? Why?

This podcast explores these questions and others.

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 of Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.