I've been studying and not posting - my compromise on very full days.
Feb 5. Acts 16 churches established by Paul ‘in faith’ conversion of Lydia in Macedonia, miracle of prison escape possible, conversion of jailer, stay in prison and demand to be treated as Romans – Paul acknowledged the influence of the Holy Ghost in his decisions and was quick to heed the promptings…like I want to be.
Clean and unclean – food, people (lepers, women when menstruating or after childbirth, dead bodies, eating with Gentiles, ceremonial or ritual uncleanness - meant , not evil, but not prepared to participate in religious rites
Codex – form of manuscript – somewhat like a book – pile of sheets stitched along one side as opposed to a scroll Hebrews began using 2 -3 centuries after Christ. Gold plates of BOM in codex form
Feb 6. Acts 17 “Received the word with all readiness of mind” vs. 11. What a perfect state to be in for learning, especially scripture study – I love that phrase ‘readiness of mind’. This chapter also contains Paul’s powerful (and short) sermon on Mars Hill in Athens identifying the ‘unknown God.’
Comforter – 2 – Holy Ghost (Moroni 8:26, D & C 21:9, D & C 42:17 and more, and Jesus Christ Himself D & C 88:3-4, 130:3 ) I want to invite, recognize and follow the first Comforter that I may someday have the second.
Feb 7. Acts 18 Paul diligently works with the Jews first, then when rejected by them turns to the Gentiles and finds success. The Lord provides companions and helpers in his missionary work…look for ways to be such a helper to the missionaries in our ward, such as having Tyler and Melanie over for dinner last Saturday night. I met Melanie walking out of Stake Conference. She was wearing jeans so I figured she wasn’t a member of the Church. We walked and talked all the way to the cars. She was parked way down the street, near our car….consequence of arriving a bit late to conference! After hearing about her and her husband’s ministries on college campuses, I invited them over for dinner. They came last Saturday and we had a delightful time visiting with and learning about each other. They are nearly 50 years younger than we are – but interested in many of the same things - God and Jesus Christ and how to help others find their way back to God, young people, doing good, etc. The missionaries have had a couple of visits with this couple. My feeling is that they won’t be baptized soon – but that someday they will, but who knows what Heavenly Father has planned for them.
Ten Commandments – Decalogue, covenant or testimony –three additional names(used in the OT) of the Ten Commandments - intended to control our thoughts and desires as well as out acts – See Sermon on the Mount
Commerce – Jewish law stressed fair dealing – Lev 19:35-36 etc. and punishment that would follow the misuse of property – Rev. 18-12:23
Your experience with the couple is interesting to me. I have been working with a widow on her genealogy for 10 years. Only this year has she started coming back to church. She has had great struggles but has overcome what she calls the easy ones (Word Of Wisdom). Her true struggle is forgving those in the church who excommunicated her without ever talking with her. She now understands that that kind of thing happened more frequently 25 years ago but she is still bitter. Fortunately we have a loving bishop who is a great support to her and she feels the promptings to continue her genealogy and now would loke to be able to do some of the work herself. We have been her friend for these last ten years and that has helped me understand that the only way to truly help people is to truly love them. A lesson Paul learned from the gentiles.
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