Beyond the Fence - Capitol Commission
Tuesday, 3rd of April 2018
Capitol Commission Georgia www.capitolcom.org / www.pray1Tim2.org
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D. P.O. Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326-0244 (912) 659-4212 [email protected]
B e y o n d t h e F e n c e
CAPITOL BIBLE STUDY
monthly (interim) schedule first Tuesday of the month
TUESDAY, 3 APRIL 2018 12 NOON in 123 CAP Capitol Commission (interim) Bible Studies are held the first Tuesday of each month at 12 Noon, in accordance with the Public Service Commission devotional at 9:55am. The monthly Bible study is nonpartisan and non-denominational. The current Bible study is the continuation of an exposition in the second part of the book of Acts (chs. 13—28). You can find archives of past Bible studies (beginning with 2010), including the first series of studies in Acts 1— 12 (from 2017), at http://www.capitolcom.org/georgia /studies.
I pray that this study will be edifying to you. The sole intent of the ministry of Capitol Commission is to serve you, and to be a resource to you for pastoral care, counsel, and prayer. The present study in the Word of God is just one aspect of the desire to serve you.
– Dr. Ron J. Bigalke, Georgia State Minister, Capitol Commission
Capitol Commission Bible Study is
Tuesday, 3 April 2018 Acts 14:1—15:29 – “Beyond the Fence” During the Second World War, a group of soldiers were serving in the rural countryside of France. One of the American soldiers was killed in an intense battle. The soldier’s comrades did not want to leave his body on the battlefield and wanted to give him a decent burial. The only cemetery in the closest village was a Catholic cemetery, serene in appearance, surrounded by a white fence, and very picturesque. The location seemed the perfect location to bury their friend. They approached the priest for permission, and his response was that the soldier could not be buried in the cemetery because it was reserved for baptized members of the Catholic Church. The soldiers were going to depart when the priest called to them, “You can bury him outside the fence.” Cynical and exhausted, the soldiers dug a grave and buried their friend just outside the white fence, shortly after nightfall. The next
morning, the soldiers returned to the tiny village intending to add some flowers to the gravesite; however, when they arrived, they could not locate it. With confusion, they approached the priest who took them to a location inside the cemetery walls. The priest smiled and explained, “After you left last night, I could not sleep, so I went out early this morning and I moved the fence.” With all humanity “dead in . . . trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1), God “moved the fence.” “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23), which means all humanity was on the wrong side of the fence. God made provision for the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:23) so those trusting in the Lord could become the “children of God” (8:15-17). Acts 14 reveals how Paul and Barnabas’ missionary efforts went “beyond the fence” by plunging into new territory. Iconium was not vastly different from the city of Pamphylia, yet Lystra and Derbe were not capital cities, nor were there any Jewish populations. Antioch was the capital of Syria, and the third largest city in the Roman Empire; it was from there that God sent the fist mission team. Paul lived, learned, and taught in Syrian Antioch for 14 years (Gal 1:21—2:1). Lystra and Derbe were not capitals, just cities of Lycaonia somewhere near the bases of the Black Mountain. The Jews, Greeks, and Romans all regarded cities such as Lystra and Derbe as beyond the periphery of any kind of civilization or culture. While those cites were governed by the Roman Empire, no one was expected to demonstrate compassion or any kind of outreach to them. The exception was Christian missionaries who ventured to “move the fence” for those not of their own background to be certain the gospel message went “even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
THE FOCUSED STRATEGY (Acts 14:1-28) The emphasis of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) is upon discipling people groups, not just individuals among the nations. The commission is not general (i.e. leading as many individuals as possible to trust in Christ as Lord); rather, it is to disciple all peoples of the world. The Great Commission requires a strategy, which must include leaders (particularly governing authorities), and includes an emphasis upon where the gospel message was to be proclaimed. Heeding his “capitol commissioning” (cf. 9:15), Paul was strategic in ministering to capitals, and then venturing to the synagogue where he would find the Jewish population. Iconium was the capital of Lycaonia. The city was located on the main trade route between Syrian Antioch and Ephesus. When Paul and Barnabas spoke in the synagogue “a large number of people believed” (14:1). However, “the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles” (v. 2) so that the mission team “spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord (v. 3).
Capitol Commission (interim) Bible Study Tuesday (3rd of April) from 12 Noon – 12:45pm, 123 CAP
this month’s ministry outreach sponsored by Georgia EMC, Georgia Transmission, and Oglethorpe Power
Tuesday, 3 April 2018
“The people of the city were divided” (v. 4) and those in unbelief sought “to mistreat and to stone” Paul and Barnabas (v. 5), which led them to flee “to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region” (v. 6). Lystra and Derbe were not capital cities, yet the only departure from the original strategy was necessary due to persecution (yet even the exceptions prove the rule in regards to evangelizing capitals).
Concerned for the outward organization of the believers, the missionaries appointed leadership (elders). The mission team did not operate independent of local churches, and converts were not left to fend for themselves (v. 23). On their way home, Paul and Barnabas reported what God accomplished, not what they suffered (vv. 24-28). Christ is the foremost priority in the life of a believer, then others, and self is last. Recognize what could prevent you from accomplishing the tasks God has given to you, and (having identified those obstacles) be determined – by God’s grace – not to deviate from the Lord’s will and purpose.
Paul was always in the process of moving from one location to another, yet he was not easily deterred by difficulties. He confessed and lived the truth of his statement, “But none of these things move me” (Acts 20:24, KJV). Geography was not the only factor involved in the departure from Iconium because it was also political in terms of boundary. Paul and Barnabas crossed from one political region to another, and continued their ministry (v. 7) in a dominantly pagan environment.
THE UNIFIED COUNCIL (Acts 15:1-29) When the Lord God opens a door (14:27), there is always some adversary ready to close it (cf. 1 Cor 16:9). Legalists from Judea (Judaizers), who were probably still upset with Peter’s visit to Cornelius (Acts 10), visited the church at Antioch and taught that Gentiles must become Jews prior to becoming a Christian. The teaching was a denial of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ (10:43; Eph 2:8-9).
THE GREAT COMMISSION REQUIRES A STRATEGY, WHICH MUST INCLUDE LEADERS (PARTICULARLY GOVERNING AUTHORITIES). . . .
A meeting of church leaders was organized to address the dispute concerning the requirements for the salvation of Gentiles (Acts 15:1-11). Orthodox Jews had difficulty understanding how the Old Testament Law, revealed by God, was fulfilled in Christ Jesus and now rendered inoperative. (The book of Hebrews addresses this issue exhaustively.) The Judaizers were attempting to put “new wine” into “old wineskins” by combining Old Testament rituals with the gospel message (cf. Matt 9:14-17).
Paul and Barnabas were driven from Pisidian Antioch, and they shook “the dust of their feet in protest” and came to Iconium (13:50—14:1). When the people there attempted to stone them, the mission team came to Lystra where they were treated like gods (14:8-13), which was a greater danger than the previous mistreatment. The apostles corrected the pagan worship in their behalf with proclamation of biblical truths, yet not actually referencing Scripture because pagans would not consider it authoritative (vv. 14-18).
When sincere believers disagree, they must gather together to understand what God’s Word, the Holy Bible, has to say regarding the issue. Paul, Barnabas, and Peter reported God’s new work among the Gentiles (Acts 15:7-12), and James explained how the Old Testament predicted the ingathering of Gentiles (vv. 13-21). The decision involved no compromises with biblical doctrine, yet there were practical considerations. Gentiles would not deliberately offend Jews (vv. 22-29), based upon the basic principle of love (cf. Rom 14—15; 1 Cor 8—10). Believers in Jesus Christ live by grace, not by human effort, and only boast is “in the Lord” (1 Cor 1:31)!
Stalking the missionaries were those who opposed them elsewhere. They “won over the [fickle] crowds” and influenced them to stone Paul, then “dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead (v. 19). Opposition to truth can at times be quite violent, which is evident in the proclivity to sue people for nearly anything today. Paul was not dead, so “he got up” and “went away with Barnabas to Derbe” (v. 20).
Thank you for allowing Capitol Commission the honor in providing Bible studies to you. If we can serve you in any manner, please talk with us, or contact by email or phone.
. . . BE DETERMINED – BY GOD’S GRACE – NOT TO DEVIATE FROM THE LORD’S WILL AND PURPOSE.
About Capitol Commission
Capitol Commission state ministers are pastors-missionaries who teach weekly verse-by-verse Bible studies for legislators, lobbyists, and staff members. The Bible studies are hand-distributed to each legislative office, emailed, and offered throughout the Capitol community. The sole mission of Capitol Commission is to provide a pastoral presence in the capitol communities of our nation, with the Bible as our foundation and authority. Capitol Commission is not a lobbying group attempting to garner votes or reform society. Our mandate is to see the hearts and lives of elected officials transformed with the Word of God. Capitol Commission is a ministry of the church seeking to proclaim the gospel message, and to help believers mature through the verse-by-verse teaching of Scripture. In the Bible, we see God’s great love for the world, especially for those who have been placed in authority. This is the foundation for our ministry to you.
Despite the trials (or perhaps because of them), the mission team “made many disciples” at Derbe (v. 21). Thereafter, they returned to Syrian Antioch, passing through Lystra and Iconium on the way for the purpose of encouraging and strengthening the new believers there “to continue in the faith” and to receive “tribulations” positively (vv. 21-22). Those seeking to be faithful to God should expect fierce opposition for this is the pathway to “enter the kingdom of God” (v. 22). Be willing to accept trials as a necessary aspect of the believer’s walk to the kingdom of God.
this month’s ministry outreach sponsored by:
NEXT CAPITOL COMMISSION (INTERIM) BIBLE STUDY:
!
Bible study copies made by:
Tuesday, 1st of May @ 12 Noon in 123 CAP (the 1st Tuesday of each month, during interim)
!
http://www.kennickell.com
!
Capitol Commission Georgia www.capitolcom.org / www.pray1Tim2.org
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D. P.O. Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326-0244 (912) 659-4212 [email protected]
B e y o n d t h e F e n c e
CAPITOL BIBLE STUDY
monthly (interim) schedule first Tuesday of the month
TUESDAY, 3 APRIL 2018 12 NOON in 123 CAP Capitol Commission (interim) Bible Studies are held the first Tuesday of each month at 12 Noon, in accordance with the Public Service Commission devotional at 9:55am. The monthly Bible study is nonpartisan and non-denominational. The current Bible study is the continuation of an exposition in the second part of the book of Acts (chs. 13—28). You can find archives of past Bible studies (beginning with 2010), including the first series of studies in Acts 1— 12 (from 2017), at http://www.capitolcom.org/georgia /studies.
I pray that this study will be edifying to you. The sole intent of the ministry of Capitol Commission is to serve you, and to be a resource to you for pastoral care, counsel, and prayer. The present study in the Word of God is just one aspect of the desire to serve you.
– Dr. Ron J. Bigalke, Georgia State Minister, Capitol Commission
Capitol Commission Bible Study is
Tuesday, 3 April 2018 Acts 14:1—15:29 – “Beyond the Fence” During the Second World War, a group of soldiers were serving in the rural countryside of France. One of the American soldiers was killed in an intense battle. The soldier’s comrades did not want to leave his body on the battlefield and wanted to give him a decent burial. The only cemetery in the closest village was a Catholic cemetery, serene in appearance, surrounded by a white fence, and very picturesque. The location seemed the perfect location to bury their friend. They approached the priest for permission, and his response was that the soldier could not be buried in the cemetery because it was reserved for baptized members of the Catholic Church. The soldiers were going to depart when the priest called to them, “You can bury him outside the fence.” Cynical and exhausted, the soldiers dug a grave and buried their friend just outside the white fence, shortly after nightfall. The next
morning, the soldiers returned to the tiny village intending to add some flowers to the gravesite; however, when they arrived, they could not locate it. With confusion, they approached the priest who took them to a location inside the cemetery walls. The priest smiled and explained, “After you left last night, I could not sleep, so I went out early this morning and I moved the fence.” With all humanity “dead in . . . trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1), God “moved the fence.” “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23), which means all humanity was on the wrong side of the fence. God made provision for the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:23) so those trusting in the Lord could become the “children of God” (8:15-17). Acts 14 reveals how Paul and Barnabas’ missionary efforts went “beyond the fence” by plunging into new territory. Iconium was not vastly different from the city of Pamphylia, yet Lystra and Derbe were not capital cities, nor were there any Jewish populations. Antioch was the capital of Syria, and the third largest city in the Roman Empire; it was from there that God sent the fist mission team. Paul lived, learned, and taught in Syrian Antioch for 14 years (Gal 1:21—2:1). Lystra and Derbe were not capitals, just cities of Lycaonia somewhere near the bases of the Black Mountain. The Jews, Greeks, and Romans all regarded cities such as Lystra and Derbe as beyond the periphery of any kind of civilization or culture. While those cites were governed by the Roman Empire, no one was expected to demonstrate compassion or any kind of outreach to them. The exception was Christian missionaries who ventured to “move the fence” for those not of their own background to be certain the gospel message went “even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
THE FOCUSED STRATEGY (Acts 14:1-28) The emphasis of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) is upon discipling people groups, not just individuals among the nations. The commission is not general (i.e. leading as many individuals as possible to trust in Christ as Lord); rather, it is to disciple all peoples of the world. The Great Commission requires a strategy, which must include leaders (particularly governing authorities), and includes an emphasis upon where the gospel message was to be proclaimed. Heeding his “capitol commissioning” (cf. 9:15), Paul was strategic in ministering to capitals, and then venturing to the synagogue where he would find the Jewish population. Iconium was the capital of Lycaonia. The city was located on the main trade route between Syrian Antioch and Ephesus. When Paul and Barnabas spoke in the synagogue “a large number of people believed” (14:1). However, “the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles” (v. 2) so that the mission team “spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord (v. 3).
Capitol Commission (interim) Bible Study Tuesday (3rd of April) from 12 Noon – 12:45pm, 123 CAP
this month’s ministry outreach sponsored by Georgia EMC, Georgia Transmission, and Oglethorpe Power
Tuesday, 3 April 2018
“The people of the city were divided” (v. 4) and those in unbelief sought “to mistreat and to stone” Paul and Barnabas (v. 5), which led them to flee “to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region” (v. 6). Lystra and Derbe were not capital cities, yet the only departure from the original strategy was necessary due to persecution (yet even the exceptions prove the rule in regards to evangelizing capitals).
Concerned for the outward organization of the believers, the missionaries appointed leadership (elders). The mission team did not operate independent of local churches, and converts were not left to fend for themselves (v. 23). On their way home, Paul and Barnabas reported what God accomplished, not what they suffered (vv. 24-28). Christ is the foremost priority in the life of a believer, then others, and self is last. Recognize what could prevent you from accomplishing the tasks God has given to you, and (having identified those obstacles) be determined – by God’s grace – not to deviate from the Lord’s will and purpose.
Paul was always in the process of moving from one location to another, yet he was not easily deterred by difficulties. He confessed and lived the truth of his statement, “But none of these things move me” (Acts 20:24, KJV). Geography was not the only factor involved in the departure from Iconium because it was also political in terms of boundary. Paul and Barnabas crossed from one political region to another, and continued their ministry (v. 7) in a dominantly pagan environment.
THE UNIFIED COUNCIL (Acts 15:1-29) When the Lord God opens a door (14:27), there is always some adversary ready to close it (cf. 1 Cor 16:9). Legalists from Judea (Judaizers), who were probably still upset with Peter’s visit to Cornelius (Acts 10), visited the church at Antioch and taught that Gentiles must become Jews prior to becoming a Christian. The teaching was a denial of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ (10:43; Eph 2:8-9).
THE GREAT COMMISSION REQUIRES A STRATEGY, WHICH MUST INCLUDE LEADERS (PARTICULARLY GOVERNING AUTHORITIES). . . .
A meeting of church leaders was organized to address the dispute concerning the requirements for the salvation of Gentiles (Acts 15:1-11). Orthodox Jews had difficulty understanding how the Old Testament Law, revealed by God, was fulfilled in Christ Jesus and now rendered inoperative. (The book of Hebrews addresses this issue exhaustively.) The Judaizers were attempting to put “new wine” into “old wineskins” by combining Old Testament rituals with the gospel message (cf. Matt 9:14-17).
Paul and Barnabas were driven from Pisidian Antioch, and they shook “the dust of their feet in protest” and came to Iconium (13:50—14:1). When the people there attempted to stone them, the mission team came to Lystra where they were treated like gods (14:8-13), which was a greater danger than the previous mistreatment. The apostles corrected the pagan worship in their behalf with proclamation of biblical truths, yet not actually referencing Scripture because pagans would not consider it authoritative (vv. 14-18).
When sincere believers disagree, they must gather together to understand what God’s Word, the Holy Bible, has to say regarding the issue. Paul, Barnabas, and Peter reported God’s new work among the Gentiles (Acts 15:7-12), and James explained how the Old Testament predicted the ingathering of Gentiles (vv. 13-21). The decision involved no compromises with biblical doctrine, yet there were practical considerations. Gentiles would not deliberately offend Jews (vv. 22-29), based upon the basic principle of love (cf. Rom 14—15; 1 Cor 8—10). Believers in Jesus Christ live by grace, not by human effort, and only boast is “in the Lord” (1 Cor 1:31)!
Stalking the missionaries were those who opposed them elsewhere. They “won over the [fickle] crowds” and influenced them to stone Paul, then “dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead (v. 19). Opposition to truth can at times be quite violent, which is evident in the proclivity to sue people for nearly anything today. Paul was not dead, so “he got up” and “went away with Barnabas to Derbe” (v. 20).
Thank you for allowing Capitol Commission the honor in providing Bible studies to you. If we can serve you in any manner, please talk with us, or contact by email or phone.
. . . BE DETERMINED – BY GOD’S GRACE – NOT TO DEVIATE FROM THE LORD’S WILL AND PURPOSE.
About Capitol Commission
Capitol Commission state ministers are pastors-missionaries who teach weekly verse-by-verse Bible studies for legislators, lobbyists, and staff members. The Bible studies are hand-distributed to each legislative office, emailed, and offered throughout the Capitol community. The sole mission of Capitol Commission is to provide a pastoral presence in the capitol communities of our nation, with the Bible as our foundation and authority. Capitol Commission is not a lobbying group attempting to garner votes or reform society. Our mandate is to see the hearts and lives of elected officials transformed with the Word of God. Capitol Commission is a ministry of the church seeking to proclaim the gospel message, and to help believers mature through the verse-by-verse teaching of Scripture. In the Bible, we see God’s great love for the world, especially for those who have been placed in authority. This is the foundation for our ministry to you.
Despite the trials (or perhaps because of them), the mission team “made many disciples” at Derbe (v. 21). Thereafter, they returned to Syrian Antioch, passing through Lystra and Iconium on the way for the purpose of encouraging and strengthening the new believers there “to continue in the faith” and to receive “tribulations” positively (vv. 21-22). Those seeking to be faithful to God should expect fierce opposition for this is the pathway to “enter the kingdom of God” (v. 22). Be willing to accept trials as a necessary aspect of the believer’s walk to the kingdom of God.
this month’s ministry outreach sponsored by:
NEXT CAPITOL COMMISSION (INTERIM) BIBLE STUDY:
!
Bible study copies made by:
Tuesday, 1st of May @ 12 Noon in 123 CAP (the 1st Tuesday of each month, during interim)
!
http://www.kennickell.com
!
