Christadelphians Talk

Today's readings.. (Joshua 5,6), (Isaiah 10), (2 Thessalonians 1,2)Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians shows he now has greater confidence in them, in their faith and love, this causes him “to give thanks to God … because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” [1 v.3] He commends their “steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions”  [v.4]  We are aware that there are true believers in some countries of whom this can be said today – and this is true of every generation.  As Jesus said in his message to Smyrna, “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) … Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” [Rev.2 v.9,10]   Let us all be “rich in faith.”Ukraine is much in the news these days – and there are true believers there today and we pray specially for them and for those in Iran  – and we know that Stalin wiped out our community of believers in Ukraine in the 1930s.   We ponder the reference in the 2nd chapter  to a particular “man of lawlessness” and that there will be a “rebellion”.  We see just about everyone, in a sense, rebelling against any meaningful belief in their being a God. The “day of the Lord” then occurs.  The leader of this rebellion is “against every so-called god or object of worship” [v.4]   In a sense the ‘doctrine' of evolution fulfils this, being against any concept of their being a God, a Creator whom humans should worship and serve. Humans are also worshipping money – and Jesus said, no one “can serve two Masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money.” [Luke 16 v.13]  Nearly everyone is devoted to the things money can buy today. Finally we note Paul's warning that “those who are perishing” will do so because “they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” [v.10]   James wrote [2 v.5], “has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him”  Let us be “rich” in the things our Master approves making sure we truly “love him” and that our “faith is growing abundantly”.

**YouTube Summary/Description****Video Title:** The Christadelphians - #11 The Christ – Whose Son Is He? – Harry Tennant**Description:**Join us for this outstanding and thought-provoking exposition as we explore one of the most profound questions in Scripture: Whose son is the Christ? In this wonderful presentation, Brother Harry Tennant guides us through an insightful, verse-by-verse examination of the sonship of Jesus.We look at the two extremes of belief—from those who deny the virgin birth to the traditional creedal teaching of an eternally begotten Son. Neither, we believe, fully reflects the beautiful, consistent revelation of the Bible. Instead, we delve into what Scripture actually says: that Jesus is the uniquely begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. This revealing study walks through key passages from Matthew, Luke, John, Paul's letters, and Hebrews to show that Jesus worshipped His Father, that the Father is greater than the Son, and that Christ's glory comes from His faithful obedience—not from a pre-existent divine nature.This is a respectful, humble, and deeply Scriptural look at one of the most important doctrines of the faith. Whether you agree or disagree, this video will challenge and inspire you to return to the Word of God as the only foundation for truth.**Chapters:**00:00 – Introduction: Seeking to Know the Son03:55 – The Virgin Birth: A Non-Negotiable Bible Truth08:09 – Examining the Creeds: “Eternally Begotten” or Biblically Revealed?13:41 – Old Testament Promises: Foreordained, Then Born15:49 – Born as the Son of God (Luke 1:35, Galatians 4:4)16:56 – Philippians 2:5-11 Explained: “Form of God” – On Earth or in Heaven?24:40 – Jesus Worships God – Even After His Ascension30:13 – Conclusion: Honouring Christ Without the Creeds**Bible Verse Categories:**

A @Christadelphians Video: Inspiring. Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful expositional Bible study on the current crisis in Iran. We examine the outstanding prophecies that reveal the future of Iran, Syria, and the surrounding nations, offering a wonderful biblical perspective on today's headlines. This revealing presentation connects scripture with global events, showing the sure hand of God in human history.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction: Iran in Crisis01:17 - Iran and Syria in Bible Prophecy02:40 - Daniel 11:40: The King of the North and South04:45 - The Identity of the 'Him' in Prophecy08:01 - Russia's Role as the Latter-Day King of the North10:39 - Mapping the Future Invasion12:38 - Proof 1: Iran in the Prophecy of Ezekiel13:44 - Proof 2: Persia in Ezekiel 38:515:49 - Proof 3: The 'Residue' in Daniel 719:50 - The Historical Empires and the Unconquered Land22:49 - Russia's Strategy and Current Movements25:37 - Summary of Three Key Prophecies27:47 - What We Should Look For Next30:16 - The Coming Catalyst: Global Economic Collapse32:36 - The Future of a Palestinian State & Israel's Peace34:11 - Conclusion and Call to Action*Key Bible Verses Discussed:*

A @Christadelphians Video: **Ai Summary**[Inspiring] In this thought-provoking and wonderfully expositional video, we continue our series exploring why so many Bible versions exist. This episode focuses on **textual criticism** (or “lower criticism”) – a careful, honest discipline that seeks to recover the original text of Scripture by comparing thousands of ancient manuscripts. We explain why we don't have the original autographs, how scribal errors and intentional changes crept in, and why having over 5,600 Greek manuscripts (with ~400,000 variants) is actually a blessing, not a problem. Using outstanding examples like Matthew 17 (prayer and fasting), John 5 (the angel at Bethesda), the Lord's Prayer doxology, and Mark 1 (Isaiah or the prophets?), we walk through the four-step process of textual criticism: determination, external evidence, internal evidence, and identification. We also reveal the difference between the Textus Receptus (behind the KJV) and modern critical texts like the Nestle-Aland/UBS (behind the ESV, NIV, etc.), and why about 50 verses (including the woman caught in adultery and the longer ending of Mark) are treated differently. This is a revealing, insightful journey that equips us to understand where our Bibles come from – so we can agree or disagree with textual critics for the right reasons. Ultimately, we want what God originally inspired. Join us as we grow in appreciation for the remarkable manuscript evidence God has preserved.**Chapters**00:00 - Introduction00:47 - What is Textual Criticism? (Lower Criticism)02:43 - The Goal: Recovering the Original Text03:18 - No Original Manuscripts? A Timeline Challenge04:31 - Why So Many Manuscripts? (And Variants)07:40 - The Four-Step Process of Textual Criticism10:48 - Internal Evidence: Examining the Reading Itself12:58 - Case Study 1: Matthew 17 (Prayer and Fasting)17:55 - Case Study 2: John 5 (The Angel at Bethesda)20:29 - Case Study 3: The Lord's Prayer Doxology21:45 - Case Study 4: Mark 1 (Isaiah or the Prophets?)23:37 - What is a Critical Text? From Textus Receptus to UBS26:10 - Missing Verses? (Mark 16, Woman Caught in Adultery)29:02 - Why This Matters: Seeking the Original30:42 - A Privilege of Many Manuscripts31:24 - Conclusion & Next Time**Bible Verse Category**

A Christadelphian Video: Christadelphian John Owen has had to overcome some major obstacles in his life, not least, having Cancer in his early years, he explains how being part of the Christadelphian Community really helped him in those difficult years. Accepting God into his life has made him realise how blessed and loved he is. He is now an international speaker declaring the True God of the Bible to all those who will listen.

Today's readings.. (Joshua 3,4), (Isaiah 9), (1 Thessalonians 5)We follow on from our thoughts yesterday about our “our hearts being established blameless in holiness” with Paul's conclusion to his first letter to the Thessalonians where he stresses very strongly to them that “having put on the breastplate of faith  … God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us …” [ch. 5 v.8-10]The wonder of that salvation which those who truly serve God will experience is illustrated for us in today's chapter in Isaiah (ch. 9) where there are words which have found a prominent place in the famous Oratorio ‘The Messiah.' “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder … of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it  with justice and with righteousness …” [v.6,7]We took particular notice of the phrase, “the increase of his government”  which implies the spread of his control – and noted Paul's words today – that when “people are saying , ‘There is peace and ‘security' then sudden destruction will come upon them” [v.3]  People everywhere will feel a more urgent need than today for peace and security, and when they think they are achieving it, then – disaster!  But then, wonderfully,  the child who was born, the “Son” of God, returns to rebuild life on earth on divine principles; a complete rebuilding will be necessary.  “The increase of his government” indicates this as the general population recovers from the terrible experience of the “sudden destruction.”  As we read on in Isaiah we will come across passages such as in ch. 34, of the time coming when “the LORD is enraged against all the nations and furious against all their host (armies); he has devoted them to destruction …”[v.2]May we all live our lives so that we are among those of whom it will be true to say and experience that, “God has not destined us for wrath,” but to obtain salvation. 

Today's readings.. (Joshua 1), (Isaiah 7, (1 Thessalonians 3,4)All 3 of our readings today provoke serious meditation about human reactions to God. We started reading Joshua and saw God's challenge to him to take his people over the Jordan.  He is told, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land … [1 v.5,6] In Isaiah (ch. 7] the prophet is told to “Go and meet (king) Asa” [v.3] and encourage him to face the threats from the north.  He is to tell him, “Be careful, do not fear, and do not let your heart in faint …” [v.4]  Then the king is bluntly warned, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” [v.9]  It is not possible to have a sort of half-faith!  Ahaz feels he is putting God to the test if he asks with a full expectation God will preserve him, he says, “I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test” [v.12]  Because of his lack of faith the LORD then gives, through Isaiah, messages to him of bad times to come when, among other things, “all the land will be briers and thorns” [v.24]In the New Testament we started to read Paul's 1st letter to the Thessalonians and saw how he is commending them on “how you turned … to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” [v.9,10] These words as so meaningful for us today; let us be “firm in faith” that God means what he caused his servants such as Paul to write.   May we, with full conviction in the word of God, “wait for his son from heaven' sensing that “wrath” will soon be coming on our world because it has reached the stage of near total godlessness. Let us not neglect our regular Bible reading as it lays the foundation to being “firm in faith” and to “be strong and courageous” both now – and even more – when the promised “wrath to come” actually happens and the dramas we will read of tomorrow in Paul's words actually takes place.

Paul writes in a very challenging way to the Colossians; he spells out very plainly that the pathway in following Christ is the very opposite to the pathways of those whose way of life leaves Christ and God out of account; their way of life becomes increasingly tragic especially if they believe there is no God – and therefore reject there is any need of a Saviour. When Paul tells the Colossian believers, “for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” [Ch. 3 v.3] he means that believers have ‘died' to the appreciation of the things that the ungodly see as valuable and important in their lives.Paul tells them to “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth” [v.2]  The things “above” will become a wonderful reality “when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” [v.4] In setting our minds on the things that are above, that are not earthly or fleshly, Paul tells them that the result is that you “put to death … what is earthly in you; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness” [v.5]Our world is increasingly full of this; so many are now spending their lives thirsting to possess the next clever invention; spiritual considerations find no place at all in their thinking. Paul says “on account of these the wrath of God is coming” [v.6] and it came upon Colossae long ago as it did on so many other ancient cities.What fate awaits the cities of today at God's hands we can only ponder in apprehension – and we will tremble to think about this all the more as we will read soon the long term prophecies God gave through Isaiah.Our aim must be that, having “put off the old self” [v.9], we “put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” [v.10]  It is an ongoing process of renewal in becoming more and more like Christ.  May we all make some progress each day, our daily reading of the Bible is a foundation factor in this renewal of knowledge.

Moses has reached the end of his long life, he is now 120 years old and his final effort is a final message to the nation.  We read, “then Moses spoke the words of this song  … in the ears of the assembly of Israel.” [Deut.31 v.30].  His words were designed to be memorised.  “When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel” [32 v.45] “he said to them, take to heart these words … that you may command them to your children … for it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live …” [v.46,47]  We can see his final message as a microcosm of all God's words that he has caused to be preserved for humanity for the guidance of those who seek to believe in him and seek to do his will. Such will therefore read his word and apply their minds to understand.Moses final message to the emerging nation of Israel applies, in its basic principles, to all who seek to serve God.  God could see that many in succeeding generations in Israel would lose their vision of God and not remain faithful – and so, sadly, this has also largely been the case with those who say they are following Christ. God says to Israel, prophetically through Moses, “I will hide my face from them … for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness.” [v.20] and so it has been – and is equally true in this 21st Century with so many who claim to follow Christ.  Through Moses, God said the people would become “a nation void of counsel and there is no understanding in them.  If they were wise they would understand this; they would discern their latter end.” [v.28,29] Other scriptures give us more details of their latter end but Moses ends his song positively seeing a time when God “avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries and cleanses his people's land” [v.43].  Then Moses “came and recited all the words … in the hearing of the people” [v.44] and added in conclusion the words we quoted at the start; “it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live”  This is parallel with the words of Christ and the apostles by which we must live – and, as a result, live eternally.  “Words” in our world are “empty” of eternal meaning – so let us make God's words our “very life.”

The Apostle Paul, said Peter (2 Peter 3 v.16), writes “some things … that are hard to understand which the ignorant and unstable twist”!  We suspect some verses in today's reading of Chapter 1 of Colossians are an example of this. Paul writes about Jesus as “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” [1 v.15].  He goes on to say that “he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” [v.18].From this we learn that the resurrection of Jesus, following a life in which he succeeded in making God's will his will led to his being made pre-eminent by God. . But doing God's will was not an automatic process, it was an incredible challenge, remember his agonizing in the garden of Gethsemane.  (see Luke 22 v.42).  His resurrection to eternal life was the starting point at which he was made pre-eminent in everything. It was a new beginning, one could say, a new creation. Paul says, in reasoning with the Galatians, that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, “but a new creation” [6 v.15]  He said the same thing in 2 Corinthians 5 v.17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”.  Our awareness of these quotations provide the foundation for our understanding of how all things were created FOR Christ. God's work of creation was with him in mind from the very beginning. We note how Peter expresses this about Christ, “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times … “ [1 Peter 1 v.20] by “God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory …” [v.21] The glory of Jesus came from God, he gave him pre-eminence because he was obedient unto death.  Our understanding can be confused by translators who, thinking of Jesus as God himself; this appears to have influenced their translation in a few places.  An example is the Greek preposition ek.  It occurs in our Colossians chapter no less than 31 times. It has the primary meaning of in, but the translators have used no less than 6 different English words in that chapter. Now we know you cannot translate from one language to another word for word and always make meaningful sense, but we noticed how in verse 16, they have rendered it as “by” – “for by him were all things created”  Yet the ESV, we use has a footnote against ‘by' – that says – That is, ‘by means of', or ‘in'Think, if they were created for him, it does not make sense that they were created by him.  Have we confused you?  God created the world with Jesus in mind.  Jesus lived and died with us in mind (Read John 20 v.20-21)   The “new creation” flows on from the original creation of Adam and Eve.  Are you part of the new creation, taking on the name of Christ in baptism?   Or will you be among those who fail because they stay related to Adam? 

Today we completed reading ACTS. The last 2 verses of the book tell us that Paul was in Rome for “two whole years … and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” That is where Luke ends his narrative, we have no inspired record of what happened to him after that. We notice the emphasis on Paul proclaiming God's Kingdom – it is sad that as the generations passed that the message preached about the personal future of the righteous became totally corrupted to one of human imagination; that of an immortal soul having some kind of existence in heaven.Our reading today in Isaiah has wonderful details about God's Kingdom that “shall come to pass in the latter days … and all the nations shall flow to it … and say:  Come let us go up … to the house (temple) of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths for out of Zion shall go the law and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem … he shall judge between nations … nation shall not lift up sword (weapons) against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” [2 v.2-4].        The kingdom Paul was proclaiming was this kingdom that Isaiah reveals. God spoke of it also through other prophets, and we should know well how Jesus preached it.   But – now note – Isaiah has another vision of our days, a fearsome vision, three times in the last 11 verses of today's 2nd chapter we encounter the phrase, “in that day”!  His vision describes a time when “the lofty pride of man shall be humbled” [v.11] with a warning “against every high tower” [v.15] – and never have there been more towering buildings than today.    Later Isaiah sees in vision “the day of the great slaughter when the towers fall … the LORD comes from afar, burning with anger … to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction” [30 v.25,27,28]  This compares with words in today's chapter, “the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day … when he rises to terrify the earth” [v.17,19].  Those who do not know God's word and have no relationship with him will be terrified.     Let us make sure we know what God has spoken through the prophets, we will come across some awesome words about “that day” as we continue our readings in Isaiah for the next several weeks.

Today we read the dramatic account of Paul's experience of shipwreck on the way to Rome. It is a first person account as Luke, the author of the book of Acts, is with him.  The point which particularly caught our attention was Paul's way of talking to the crew when they were in utter desperation and the loss of the ship with everyone on it seemed certain.  We read, “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” [27 v.20]  It was then that Paul stood up and said, “I urge you to take heart for there will not be loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship.”{v.23]Note that Paul, in referring to his God, whom no one except he and Luke would know.  Many gods of human imagination would have been worshipped by the Romans, Greeks and others in the crew; Paul says “the God I worship” and then significantly adds, “to whom I belong.”  We are sure none of the idol worshippers viewed their Gods in that way! Do we view our God in that way?Consider the point Paul makes to the Corinthians after reproving them for their sexual and other immoralities (I Cor.5). “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” [1 Cor. 6 v.19,20]  Those who are baptised commit their lives into the service of God and of Jesus Christ His son.In the same way, the people of Israel under Moses entered into a covenant with the God that had delivered them, they belonged to him!  Moses had told them, “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God.  The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession” [Deut. 7 v.6]   Sadly, most of the people in the generations that followed failed to have the sense of belonging to God possessed by those entering the promised land.   If we make no commitment to belong to God, then we belong to the world – a world which is facing an awesome shipwreck!. 

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring] **The Cross of Christ: A Thought-Provoking & Revealing Exploration of Redemption**What is the true meaning of the cross? In this outstanding and wonderfully expositional video, we dive deep into Scripture to uncover the heart of the Gospel. Moving beyond confusing theories and speculative ideas, we explore the inspiring truth that redemption is rooted in love, expressed through grace, and sealed by the sinless life and sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ.This insightful presentation examines the vital link between the Saviour and the sinner, explaining how—through faith, repentance, and baptism—we can personally connect to Christ's victory over sin and death. Join us as we celebrate the beautiful consistency of the Bible's message: that God's love, not a transaction, is the foundation of our hope.###

Things done in a corner are concealed from general knowledge. It seems evident that Luke, the writer of the book of ACTS was with Paul on some of his travels. Ch. 27 v.1 shows he was with him as he travelled after his appeal to Caesar (v.1,3,4 &c “we” experienced this and that). The defense of Paul before King Agrippa and the Roman Governor is given in such detail it is evident it is a personal report. Festus, the Roman Governor struggles to comprehend what Paul is saying, he desires to write a report to Caesar detailing the nature of the accusations against him.Paul declares, “To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” [26 v.22,23] Festus is confused saying, “Paul, you are out of your mind.” Paul responds, “I am not out of my mind … I am speaking true and rational words … for this has not been done in a corner” {v.24-26]The events of nearly 2,000 years ago are powerfully evidenced by history – not just the Bible text – but in Roman history. Alongside this we can put our reading today in Deuteronomy 28. Moses sets out the blessings the nation will have if they truly serve God when they enter the promised land. The first generation did so – as the book of Joshua we are about read shows.!But the latter part of our chapter details the curses that would come upon them for turning their back on God – ending with an awesome description which had its ultimate fulfilment in the Holocaust 70 years ago. “The Lord will give you there a trembling heart and failing eyes and a languishing soul. Your life will hang in doubt before you. Night and day you shall be in dread …” [v.66,67] Some try to deny the Holocaust but “this has not been done in a corner”What position do we take? There is no neutral position! Jesus said, “whoever denies me before me, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” [Matt. 10 v.33]

A @Christadelphians Video: Inspiring. In this thought-provoking edition of the Watchman Report, we examine the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. With its founding mission to secure global peace, we explore the sobering reality of our conflict-ridden world and measure its achievements against the ultimate standard: Bible prophecy. This revealing presentation offers a powerful, Scripture-based analysis of current international tensions and the wonderful, enduring hope for true peace that God has promised.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: A Biblical Perspective on World Events00:13 - The UN at 80: Founding Ideals vs. Reality01:34 - A World in Conflict: Assessing the UN's Effectiveness02:45 - Biblical Prophecy Foretells Global Militarisation03:38 - Nations Question the UN's Role and Funding04:05 - Contemporary Peace Initiatives Outside the UN Framework05:16 - The Biblical Warning of "Peace and Safety"06:09 - The True Future of International Peace08:10 - Conclusion: The Good News of God's Coming Kingdom**Bible Verse Category:**

How i became a Christadelphian! Tony Puim

A @Christadelphians Video: **Ai Summary**[Inspiring] Have you ever wondered why modern Bibles sometimes differ—or even appear to miss out verses? In this thought-provoking and wonderfully expositional video, we tackle a subject rarely discussed among believers: **textual criticism**. This is the fifth instalment of our series on Bible versions, and we're diving into the vital difference between *textual criticism* and *higher criticism*.We begin by explaining why translators must care about which manuscript they use—because although God inspired the Scriptures, we still have to ask: which manuscript best preserves that inspired text? Then we reveal why many believers feel uneasy when they first hear the term “criticism.” That unease often comes from confusing textual criticism with **higher criticism**—a deeply flawed 19th‑century German movement rooted in anti‑Semitism, which denies inspiration and tears the Bible apart verse by verse.Higher criticism claims Isaiah was written by two authors (or more), that Daniel was composed after the events it prophesies, and that we cannot be sure Jesus even spoke the parables recorded in the Gospels. As Christadelphians, we reject that approach entirely. The New Testament itself quotes from both parts of Isaiah and calls Isaiah the prophet. We believe the Bible is inspired, harmonious, and trustworthy.This insightful presentation clarifies that **textual criticism is not higher criticism**. Instead, it is the careful, reverent work of comparing manuscripts to recover the most accurate wording of God's Word. Outstanding teaching like this equips you to understand why translations differ—without losing confidence in Scripture.**Chapters** 00:00 – Introduction 01:10 – What Is Textual Criticism? 02:19 – Why We Feel Uncomfortable 03:01 – The Problem of Multiple Manuscripts 04:26 – Higher Criticism Defined 05:00 – Origins and Anti‑Semitism 06:32 – Literary History vs Biblical Claims 07:25 – The “Second Isaiah” Theory 09:28 – Higher Criticism Rejects Prophecy 11:56 – New Testament Affirms One Isaiah 13:05 – Higher Criticism on Jesus' Parables 15:07 – The Jesus Seminar's Quest 17:22 – Assumed Contradictions in Acts and Paul 18:56 – Why Higher Criticism Fails 19:19 – Conclusion: Trusting the Inspired Text**Bible Verse Category**

What do we/you reason about? This question is prompted by verses in today's 24th chapter of Acts. The arrest of Paul which had been predicted by the prophets in the early church possessed by the gifts of the Spirit, had now taken place in Jerusalem.Paul is brought to Caesarea and kept in custody by the Roman Governor Felix who has a Jewish wife and “having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way” [v.22] (‘the way' being the earliest phrase used to describe followers of Christ), the Governor is not willing to aid Paul's accusers, instead he arranged for him “to have some liberty” [v.23] and then, when his wife came, “he sent for Paul and heard him speak about the faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgement Felix was alarmed …” [v.24,25]If someone like Paul was alive today and we heard them reasoning about such things – would they alarm us? Or would we welcome such reasoning? Would we make it part of our reasoning and reason for living? Don't we make our answer rather obvious by the extent to which we read the Bible – and put what we read into practice.

Today's readings.. (Deuteronomy 25), (Song of Solomon 5), (Acts 20)In today's 20th chapter in Acts we have the account of a long conversation Paul had with “the elders of the church” [v.17] at Ephesus whom he called to see him at the port of Miletus.  He told them then “that they would not see his face again' [V.38].It was obviously an intense discussion.  He tells them,  “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock …  I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.  Therefore be alert …”  [v.27-31]It is natural for most of us to want to try to avoid all problems, all controversy, to ignore it if we can.   But what does that achieve?  Does it bring us closer to God and to Christ?  We have many lessons on this from Christ himself in the gospels.  Of course the circumstances in Ephesus are different, it is an entirely Gentile community – but what is not different is human nature – and the only solution to that is the development of a genuine Christ-like frame of mind.  The foundation ingredient to do that, especially for us today, is the meditative reading of God's word.Bible reading is the only way to untwist things that have been twisted.   With what intensity did Paul seek to do this! We might think he did this by intense study, reasoning and constructive argumentation, and we see some of this in his letter to them – but what does the text in Acts say?  What is the point he makes in reminding them of the spirit of mind he showed when he was among them?   “…. Be alert  remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to admonish everyone with tears.”  [v.31]  A most challenging example to follow. The lesson is clear – academic reasoning is not the major part of dealing with “twisted things”.  Paul left Timothy at Ephesus [1 Tim 1 v.3] and he ends his letter to him by saying, “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions …”  We must do the same

Once again we have some interesting and, to quite a degree, challenging chapters today.  Our Deuteronomy chapter (24) caused us to meditate on the nature of life without banks, or any money as we have it today, so that there is no situation in which it can be borrowed!   What will be the nature of any “money” in the kingdom age?  Real gold and silver?  The Israelites, as God's people, were told by Moses in his final message, they are to “purge the evil from your midst” [Deut. 24 v.7] How much purging will be needed in the kingdom when all peoples will be expected to serve the one real God and “out of Zion shall go the law, and  …. he shall judge between the nations …” [Isa. 2 v.3,4]?The Songs of Solomon are usually understood as a spiritual ‘parable' of the bride of Christ, and Christ says to her, “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you … You have captivated my heart … my bride … how beautiful is your love … my bride!” ” [4 v.7,9,10]  With this perspective on the meaning of this ‘parable' to what extent are we today, “captivating” the heart of our Saviour?  How can we live so that we do so?Our chapters in Acts show how the message of the gospel captivated the hearts of some of the converts so that they were really committed in serving Christ; “a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria … was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. (the Old Testament of course) … being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus …” [18 v.24,25] When he came to Achaia ” he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,  for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.” [v.27,28]He was showing, in practice “how beautiful” his “love” was for Christ!  “How beautiful is (y)our love?”  There are many ways of showing it!  Let us try harder to live so that “Christ is formed in you” [Gal. 4 v.19] which was what Paul was agonising in his heart about – concerning the believers in Galatia. As we live day after day, absorbing the real spirit of God's word so that “Christ is formed” in you and I, realising more and more fully that we do this by serving one another in the spirit of Christ – as parts of “the body of Christ.”  Let us meditate on Paul's words to the Colossians in ch. 1 v.28,29.

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring] What is the "certain place" where mercy and truth meet, and righteousness and peace kiss? In this thought-provoking and insightful Memorial exhortation, Bro Ted Hodge takes us on an expositional journey through Scripture to reveal the wonderful intersection of God's divine attributes. From Jacob's vision at Bethel to the seven ecclesias of Revelation, we explore how this special place is not just a location—it's a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth.This outstanding presentation challenges us as individuals and as an ecclesia to examine whether we truly dwell in this place where goodness and severity, love and faithfulness exist in perfect harmony. With practical application for our Memorial meeting and daily walk, Bro Hodge reminds us that we are soldiers of Christ, battling to remain at this place where true righteousness and peace abide. A revealing and uplifting study that will transform how you view the emblems and your spiritual warfare.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: A Place Where Mercy and Truth Meet02:14 - Jacob's Vision at Bethel: The House of God03:27 - The Lord Jesus Christ: The Person Who Is This Place05:35 - The Beauty of Scripture's Couplets06:29 - The Seven Ecclesias: Who Is at This Place?09:17 - As Individuals: Searching the Reins and Hearts10:37 - The Soldier Analogy: Enduring Hardship12:28 - 2 Timothy 2: Passing the Baton15:11 - As an Ecclesia: The House of God16:46 - The Importance of Assembling Together19:25 - Lampstands and Imperfect People21:28 - Practical Application: Balancing Divine Attributes22:52 - The Son of Man: Full of Grace and Truth25:40 - The Emblems: Where We Meet God27:07 - The Mercy Seat: Our Place of Forgiveness28:29 - Partaking in Remembrance29:13 - 1 Corinthians 11:23-30: The Lord's Supper30:49 - Prayer for the Bread33:05 - Prayer for the Cup34:47 - Closing Hymn37:28 - Concluding Prayer and Benediction42:50 - Final Reflection: Come and Listen**Bible Verse Categories:**

 How do we “receive” God's word?  It is ‘food' to nourish and build up our minds.  We continue to read about the ‘adventures' of Paul – the challenges he faced as he went from place to place to spread the true message of salvation – fulfilling the words God said to Ananias in Damascus (Acts 9 v.15) that Paul “is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”There was enthusiasm for his message in some places, but not in others – and it is the same in the world today.  Paul's first approach was to go into the local Jewish synagogue, but he almost always  had a better reception among the Gentiles; he usually found some who were looking for real meaning and purpose in their lives – and it has been so ever since.  But today – with nearly all surrounded day by day and week by week by the many activities this modern world thrusts before us, few have interest in seeking and getting to know the eternal purpose of existence.We read today how Paul, when he came to a place called Berea, went into the synagogue, where he found “these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” [ch. 17 v.11]   The Scriptures of course were what we call the Old Testament and we have seen in earlier chapters in Acts passages which first Peter and then Paul quoted to prove  that the coming of Jesus and his sacrifice had been revealed by God to the prophets.  And today we can, if we are genuinely interested, study and quote them to see how they have foretold today's events with the return of the Jews to their own land – and the events which will now follow – of which our New Testament also has much to reveal to us.  So let us be like the Bereans – so that it can be said of us that we have “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily …”     A key question for each of us is, ‘How well-nourished is my mind in eternal matters?

A  Genuine faith is an essential and active ingredient in the lives of those who believe in Jesus – it motivates their actions!  This is made clear in our chapters in the Acts of the Apostles today.  The rapidly developing communities of believers had reached a crisis point when “some believers” in Jerusalem “who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses'.” [ch.15 v.5] These Jewish converts to faith in Christ wanted the Gentile converts to fully follow Jewish ways: because of this “the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.” [v.6] This was held in Jerusalem and there was “much debate.” [v.7] Among the points that Peter made was “God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, havingcleansed their hearts by faith.” [v.8,9]  Peter says that what these former Pharisees were advocating would be a “yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?  But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” [v.10,11] The lesson is – we cannot ‘earn' salvation through keeping rituals; we are “saved through grace” and it will only be through grace that we will gain a place in God's kingdom.  The essential ingredient for those who believe is to develop cleansed hearts, the outcome of having a genuine faith.   At the end of the gathering a letter is composed (v.23) and sent to the Gentile believers.  It makes the point that “it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements…” [v.28] The requirement which it is most appropriate for us to carefully note in this 21st Century is to “abstain … from sexual immortality.” [v.29]  This will come naturally to those who have “cleansed their hearts by faith.”  This was also illustrated for us in some detail in our chapter 22 in Deuteronomy today. (v.13-30) as part of Moses' earnest exhortation before the Israelites enter the promised land. May our faith become stronger – and our vision clearer – and then -how wonderfully ‘clean' our hearts will become.

Our readings in Acts ch. 13 has many lessons about the actions of God and the reactions of men as the message of Jesus was spread.  Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch in Pisidia (southern Turkey) and went into the synagogue and were invited to speak (v.15). Paul started by giving them a history lesson of God's actions in bringing Israel through the wilderness and establishing them in the promised land, giving them kings, in particular David.  Then his message jumps forward to John the Baptist.  We must not underestimate the impact and spread of John's preaching because later, at Ephesus, Paul is to find those who only know John's baptism (19 v.3) – and Ephesus is a long way from the Jordan! Paul's mention of John is a springboard for him to talk about Jesus and his message.  He points out that those who lived in Jerusalem “did not recognise him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day,” and they “fulfilled them by condemning him” [v.27].Paul knew that the same misunderstanding was going to happen in Antioch as they became jealous of the non-Jews when they accepted the message that “everyone who believes (in Jesus) is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.” [v.38,39]. Then comes the punch line!  “Beware therefore, lest what is said in the prophets should come about.” [v.40]It came about in the punishment that came on Jerusalem!  And the same can be said today! Punishment is coming! Paul quoted the words God inspired the prophet Habakkuk to write, “Look you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'” [v.41, Hab. 1 v.5]  Today we have scoffers who deride the Bible, apparently learned men who scoff at the very thought that there is a God.  One day, maybe soon, they will “be astounded and perish.”  Then God's laws will come into action, no longer will the permissive laws of man corrupt mankind.  Let us prepare for that time by understanding the utterances of the prophets, including Jesus and Paul – and taking them to heart, and showing that we have done so, by our words and actions. 

These are the final words in Solomon's Book of Ecclesiastes. In the verse 12 he writes, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind” At the start of this book we read, these are “the words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.”     In today's final chapter we read, “Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging, many proverbs with great care.” [v.9]  We quoted a few days ago v.11 “the words of the wise are like goads, like nails firmly fixed” [v.11] and it reminds us of what Jesus said to Paul on the Damascus road, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” [Acts 26 v.14] Goads are the nails that are fixed behind horses in harness pulling a carriage, which prick them if they try to disobey the driver.  Paul's conscience was pricking him as he put loving and God fearing men and women in prison and stood approving the stoning of Stephen.  Do we let the “words of the wise” that God has caused to be preserved throughout the Bible prick our conscience? We should.Solomon has a particular message for the young. “Rejoice, O young … let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.  Walk in the ways of your heart … But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement … Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come … “ [Ch.11 v.9; 12 v.1]He is writing in the despondency of old age, death is at the door, he had found “enjoyment in all his toil” [2 v.24] and now that is all over.  But today we can put a fuller meaning on “before the evil days come” for our world is facing evil times and the good times (?) are largely over; “They are afraid= also of what is high, and terrors are in the way” [v.5].We must take his final words to heart, “Fear  God and keep his commandments …

[Inspiring] In this thought-provoking and outstanding exposition, we continue our journey through the Christadelphian faith with Chapter 9: “How can this be?” Join us as brother Harry Tennant takes us deep into Scripture to answer a profound question – if the original Garden of Eden was blighted by sin, why and how can paradise ever be restored? This insightful and wonderfully revealing presentation moves from Eden's failure to Gethsemane's victory, showing that God's answer to mankind's plight is found entirely in the sinless life, sacrificial death, and glorious redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We explore two great mysteries – our redemption in Christ and the true nature of the Son of God – and discover that what God planned from the beginning (to make man in His image) was fully achieved in His only begotten Son. This is an uplifting, Scripture-centred message that will strengthen your confidence in God's righteous and merciful purpose to fill the earth with blessing. Whether you are new to Bible study or have long loved its truths, this video offers a rich, expositional walk through key passages that reveal the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.**

A @Christadelphians Video: Inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply insightful, join us for this outstanding expositional study of one of the Bible's most remarkable prophecies. We explore Ezekiel 37 and its breathtakingly accurate foretelling of the modern restoration of Israel. In this wonderful presentation, Brother Mike Steele provides a revealing, step-by-step analysis of how this ancient vision has been meticulously fulfilled in our time, proving God's sovereign hand in history and signalling the nearness of Christ's return.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction00:15 - Exploring Ezekiel 37: The Prophecy of Restoration00:42 - The Historical Context & God's Ultimate Purpose01:57 - The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones03:51 - The Noise Begins: The Zionist Movement (c. 1897)06:32 - The Shaking: World War I & British Control08:04 - Sinews and Flesh Form: The Balfour Declaration (1917) & League of Nations (1922)10:30 - Skin Covers the Flesh: The UN Vote of 194711:38 - The Breath of Life: The Proclamation of the State of Israel (1948)12:47 - An Exceeding Great Army: The Six-Day War (1967) and Beyond14:33 - The Proof: "I have spoken it and performed it"15:53 - The Future King: The Promise of One King Over All19:00 - Conclusion: The Reliability of God's Word*Key Bible Verses Explored:*

A @Christadelphians Video: Pleased to present in collaboration with the Bible Unlocked team, this thought-provoking presentation from the sixth season of Bible Unlocked Live, A foundational series, “Why You Should Believe the Bible,” revealing how faith is built on a rock-solid foundation of evidence and reason. They hold a webinar each week....Find out more @ https://www.bibleunlocked.com/Inspiring. Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of one of Christianity's most debated doctrines. In this outstanding presentation, we trace the historical origins of the Trinitarian teaching, examine its foundational claims, and offer a revealing, scripture-based perspective on the true nature of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: The Central Question14:03 - Defining the Trinity Doctrine14:49 - The Biblical Principle: Tracing a Doctrine to its Origin16:20 - The Foundational Problem: No Direct Biblical Reference17:29 - Historical Origins: From Ignatius to the Nicene Creed20:27 - Constantine and the Council of Nicaea22:35 - Enforcement and the Absence of Challenge23:48 - Can God Be Understood? A Biblical View25:17 - Conclusion: The Call to Personal Bible Study26:10 - Deep Dive & Q&A: Examining Key 'Proof Texts'27:18 - John 1:1-3: "The Word was God"30:44 - Philippians 2:6 & John 14:9: Further Analysis33:08 - Summarising the Biblical Relationship: Father, Son & Holy Spirit35:11 - Closing Remarks & Preview of Next Topic**Bible Verse Category:**

How i became a Christadelphian! Rhe Desjardin

A @Christadelphians Video: *Ai Summary* [Inspiring] This thought-provoking and insightful exposition reveals why so many Bible translations exist, focusing on “challenging words” – rare terms that puzzled scholars for centuries. We explore how discoveries like the Rosetta Stone, Ugaritic, and the Oxyrhynchus Papyri have revolutionised our understanding of Hebrew and Greek. This wonderful, revealing journey shows that translation is a continuous process, not a one-off event. We learn to approach Scripture with humility, using multiple translations to benefit from each one's strengths. Outstanding content for anyone serious about God's Word. *Chapters* 00:00 – Introduction: why challenging words matter 00:42 – Hapax legomena and the need for constant revision 01:52 – Changes & discoveries: learning from ancient languages 02:25 – Akkadian: the language of Abraham and Nimrod's kingdom 05:01 – Rosetta Stone: unlocking hieroglyphics 07:16 – Ugaritic: the closest literary cousin to Hebrew 09:35 – New Testament Greek: from “Holy Spirit language” to everyday Koine 10:32 – Herculaneum papyri and the search for ordinary letters 12:02 – Oxyrhynchus Papyri: a treasure trove of receipts, letters, and everyday Greek 14:44 – Timeline: how translations (KJV, RV, RSV, NIV, ESV, NASB) relate to discoveries 16:00 – Example 1: “nuts and almonds” becomes “pistachio nuts” (Genesis 43:11) 21:04 – Example 2: “Tartan” – from a name to the title “field marshal” (2 Kings 18:17) 23:39 – Why Strong's is outdated, and modern lexicons (BDB, HALOT, BDAG) 25:56 – Conclusion: humility, using multiple translations, and always learning *Bible Verse Category*

Does God hear prayer?  Yes!  But Scripture makes it clear that it depends on the spirit of mind in which prayers are offered.  God sees all, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” [Prov. 15 v.3]  In Ecclesiastes today we read, “Rejoice … in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” [11 v.19] So what is the nature of the things we rejoice about?   Remember the parable Jesus told about the son who asked for – and received – his share of the inheritance – and ‘rejoiced' in squandering it! (Luke 15 v.12,13)  A remarkable man who was seeking the right way to ‘rejoice', was none other than a Roman Centurion!   We read of him, Cornelius, in Acts ch. 10 today.` He was a man of prayer, he was seeking a relationship with the true God, the only God, and “prayed continually to God.” [v.2] He receives a vision and is told by an angel, “”Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” [v.4]  Does God ‘receive' our prayers like that? Are we generous in giving alms?He is told to “send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter” [v.5] and wastes no time in doing this.  The events which follow are also a learning curve for Peter, it had not entered his mind that a Roman Centurion could be saved and put on the name of Jesus!  After hearing the testimony of Cornelius Peter declares,  “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” [v.34,35] Peter declares to him the “good news of peace through Jesus Christ” explaining that, “to him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” [v.36,43]  At this the gift of the Holy Spirit falls on the hearers, this leaves Peter in no doubt that God is accepting the Gentiles equally with the Jews, “and he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” [v.48]   It was the Holy Spirit that inspired the writing of the Bible, and guided the writers; today we have that word in print to guide and inspire us – and bring us ever closer to God – and one day, maybe soon, we will be told “your prayers … have ascended” – when God sends “out the angels (to) gather his elect” [Mark 13 v27] and our godless world is dramatically transformed as our Lord reigns in Jerusalem – see Isaiah 2 v.2-4. 

Our chapters in Deuteronomy and Acts today link together to give us a challenging message.  Moses continues his final message, his warning to God's nation who are about to leave the wilderness, “you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations”  that are presently in the land they are about to enter.  We cannot help seeing some parallels with the abominable practices in today's world, before God's kingdom is established.  Moses is then told, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you” [v.15] I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” [v18] The prophet Moses was told about – is Jesus! We read on Monday in Acts 3 v.22,23, how Peter quoted these very words when he was preaching in Jerusalem.  Today in Acts ch. 9, we have the account of Saul, soon to be called Paul, being challenged by the voice of Jesus in an overwhelming bright light – before he reaches Damascus – and then is led blind into the city.After 3 days a believer named Ananias is told where to find Paul and to lay “his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”[v.12]  Ananias is horrified – “Lord” he says, “I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.”              But he is told, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” [v.13-16]  It helps to also understand “name” in the sense of “reputation.”As soon as Paul “regained his sight … he rose and was baptised.” [v.18] This makes plain that the act of baptism, of going “down into the water” [8 v.28], is the essential act to show to oneself as well as others that you now belong to Christ  – see Romans 6 v.3-5. Paul wastes no time in serving Jesus, he now “confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ … and … preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” [v.22,27]  Jesus is still, today, asking all who are willing and committed in heart and mind “to carry my name.”  Does that include you? Yes?  Paul's words in 2 Cor. 13 v.5 challenge our heartfelt meditation, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?”

This was the question Philip asked the Ethiopian Eunuch; he was one of the seven appointed to assist the 12 disciples (Acts 6 v.2,4); Stephen who was killed was also one of them.“An angel of the Lord” (8 v.26) caused Philip to go up and meet with this Ethiopian as he was returning from worshipping in Jerusalem.(v.28} which shows he was a genuine God fearing man – and as he travelled, he was reading God's word and puzzling over a person he was reading about in the book of Isaiah who was “like a lamb before its shearer is silent … in his humiliation justice was denied him.  Who can describe his generation?  For his life is taken away from the earth.” [v.32,33]He asks Philip, “Does the prophet say this about himself or about someone else?” [v.34] Philip explains, “beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.”   The whole world has now been given the whole of the word of God – all 66 books of it, in just about every language. Remember what Jesus said; “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12 v.48)People in the ancient world were challenged by the faith of Noah in the huge ark he and his sons built over many years!  Does the word of God really challenge us?  It did when it was first printed! Let us read some of it every day – and our understanding will grow and – like the Eunuch, we will start to think and to ask, “What prevents me from being baptised?” [v.37]  And if we are already baptised and have experienced the feeling he did after his baptism in “going on his way rejoicing” [v.39] we will find less and less to rejoice about in much of what we do in this world..We will relate to words in Peter's 1st letter.  He said that genuine believers “by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, though now, for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith … may be found to result in praise and honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [1 v.5-7]

We all have memories; bad things we try to shut out of our memory, good things we try to retain and bring to the fore.  We read today how Moses told the people to look back on; “all the days of your life (that) you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt” [Deut. 16 v.3]  The Passover Feast was set up to aid that memory, to cement it into their consciousness.  Most of the generation that had experienced the miraculous deliverance had failed to do that and had died in the wilderness because of their faithlessness.  Now Moses is delivering the message to the next generation; whose leaders had been teenagers and children at that time.Today's chapter details the feasts they are to keep when they start living in the promised land. As well as remembering the actual deliverance, through the Passover feast, there are 3 other feasts associated with farming the land and the reward of harvesting.  This they would experience for the first time in their lives. The key lesson is they are not to “appear before the LORD empty handed.  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD” [v.16-17].Verse 20 has another blunt ‘punch line' message, “Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”Now we consider our own journey in life, how close are we to the climax of all that God has prepared for all those who truly believe in and love Him?   Is the crossing of the Jordan close at hand for us?We must face up to today's challenges and make sure we “escape all the things that are going to take place” [Luke 21 v,36] as the Almighty prepares to cleanse the earth of its' evil.  Let us “remember the day”.

Solomon's reminiscences in Ecclesiastes are in one sense a continuation of Proverbs. Several times in today's chapter (7) he contemplates ways of living and asks “What is better?” and makes observations which do not always provide a clear answer, but they do provoke our thinking.The chapter begins, “A good name is better than precious ointment” which leads us to recall the valuable ointment used to anoint Jesus and those who only thought of its wasted value. How important is it to make a good name (reputation) for yourself? Very important, but make sure it is a good reputation in God's eyes.Verse 5, “It is better for a person to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.” In so many ways this world is filled with the latter – but some, maybe many young people, would see Solomon as wrong! We ponder the state of mind that reaches that conclusion “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” [v.8]. But when “the end of a thing” is not good, some positive thinking is needed to draw out the lessons for doing better in the future.Solomon laments, “In my vain life I have seen everything” [v.15] We usually do not appreciate how some things are “vain” until we get to a mature age. Some modern versions translate this as – the pointlessness of life; but what does one really achieve in life that is of lasting value? There are some things: but we recall Solomon's attitude when he had accomplished everything that he had set his mind to physically achieve (Ch. 2 v.1-11) that it was all “a striving after wind.”At the end of Ecclesiastes he writes, “The preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one shepherd.” [12 v.10,11]In the New Testament we have the ultimate “good shepherd” yet those who came before him, such as David and Solomon, provoke much worthwhile thought. The last verse of today's chapter says, “this alone I found, that God made man upright” “but now we have twisted minds” (CEV)Let us make sure our minds are untwisted by reading and reflecting on God's word every day.

2026.4.26 Exhortation: Memorial - Emblems Deut 12, Ecc , Acts 2 Bro Grant Jolly

In contrast to his denial of his Lord on the night of his arrest Peter is now possessed of total conviction and power.  He and John heal a man who is more than 40 years old and lame from birth who was “laid daily at the gate of the Temple … to ask alms” [Acts 3 v.2]  Everyone who frequented the temple knew him, he had never walked!  His healing resulted in him entering “the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him … and they were filled with wonder and amazement…” [v.8-10]As a result, “all the people ran together to them … astounded.” [v.11]  This gave Peter a wonderful opportunity to tell them it was through Jesus “whom God raised from the dead … by faith in his name – has made this man strong” [v.15,16] This was the cause of this incredible healing, Peter's total faith and God given power…Peter then says, “and now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your rulers …” [v.17]    So many things are done out of ignorance, many are wilfully ignorant!  But such is the tendency in human nature that there is no genuine awareness – and resultant awe – of God – and His son. Today the refusal to believe in God is the result of wilful belief that we are just the highest form of evolved life that needed no designer and creator.Peter's challenge to them is the same challenge as his words make to all people today!   “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom the heaven must receive until the time for restoring all things about which God spoke by the mouth of the holy prophets long ago.” [v.19-21]If you fail to “turn again” and be baptised – you are telling God you prefer to remain “in ignorance.”  But it is better to remain that way if we have no conviction about how these events turned the people and nations of nearly 2,000 years ago upside down in their thinking. The conviction of Peter and others led them to “speak the word of God with all boldness” [4 v.31]  How can we claim today we have “acted in ignorance” in whatever decision we make!?The last verse of our Ecclesiastes reading (ch. 6) puts the matter frankly, “For who knows what is good for a man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow?”   Then, as we will read in 9 v.5 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward …” unless they respond to the message of God through such as Peter “that times of refreshing” will come at “the time for restoring all things” at the return of Christ.  Let us admit – we are not making our decision – one way or the other – “in ignorance”

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring] What will the Kingdom of God be like? In this outstanding and thought-provoking exposition, we explore the wonderful, revealed vision of worldwide peace, divine care, and righteous rule that Scripture paints for the coming age. Join us as we uncover the breathtaking details of God's future Kingdom on earth.

A @Christadelphians Video: Inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply insightful, join us for this outstanding expositional study of one of the Bible's most remarkable prophecies. We explore Ezekiel 37 and its breathtakingly accurate foretelling of the modern restoration of Israel. In this wonderful presentation, Brother Mike Steele provides a revealing, step-by-step analysis of how this ancient vision has been meticulously fulfilled in our time, proving God's sovereign hand in history and signalling the nearness of Christ's return.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction00:15 - Exploring Ezekiel 37: The Prophecy of Restoration00:42 - The Historical Context & God's Ultimate Purpose01:57 - The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones03:51 - The Noise Begins: The Zionist Movement (c. 1897)06:32 - The Shaking: World War I & British Control08:04 - Sinews and Flesh Form: The Balfour Declaration (1917) & League of Nations (1922)10:30 - Skin Covers the Flesh: The UN Vote of 194711:38 - The Breath of Life: The Proclamation of the State of Israel (1948)12:47 - An Exceeding Great Army: The Six-Day War (1967) and Beyond14:33 - The Proof: "I have spoken it and performed it"15:53 - The Future King: The Promise of One King Over All19:00 - Conclusion: The Reliability of God's Word**Key Bible Verses Explored:**

[Inspiring] We are Christadelphians, and in this wonderfully open and revealing conversation, our brother Matt Davies shares his personal journey of faith—from growing up in a Christadelphian family to discovering the outstanding power of Bible prophecy. This unscripted, heartfelt discussion is packed with insightful, expositional teaching that will strengthen your confidence in God's Word. Matt explains how Daniel chapter 2's prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's image provides a spectacular, historically verified roadmap of world empires—and points forward to the stone kingdom: the return of Jesus Christ to establish God's Kingdom on earth. If you've ever wondered why the Old Testament matters for Christians today, or what the real gospel message is, this video is a must-watch. Prepare to be inspired and challenged by the wonderful hope we have in God's unfolding purpose.**Chapters** 00:00 - Introduction: Matt Davies shares his background as a Christadelphian 00:08 - The Power of Prophecy: Daniel Chapter 2 and the Statue of Metals 01:34 - The Four Great Empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome 02:23 - The Fifth Empire? Rome's Division and the Stone to Come 03:50 - The Stone Kingdom: The Return of Jesus Christ 05:11 - Hope of the Gospel: Jesus' Bodily Return to Earth 06:16 - Why Prophecy Strengthens Our Faith 07:03 - The Old Testament and the New Testament: Indispensable Connection 08:11 - Jesus: Son of David and Son of Abraham 09:18 - The Hope of Israel and the New Covenant 10:39 - Galatians 3: The Promise to All Nations through Abraham's Seed 12:17 - The Gospel: Things Concerning Jesus and the Kingdom of God 13:37 - Scripture Alone: Our Authority as Christadelphians 14:09 - A Call to Be on the Lord's Side – Conclusion**Bible Verse Category**

A @Christadelphians Video: **Ai Summary** [Inspiring] We, as Christadelphians, found this fourth instalment in the ‘So many versions of the Bible...Why?' series absolutely outstanding and wonderfully revealing. Jason Hensley takes us on an insightful journey into the world of *hapax legomena* – words that appear only once in Scripture. This thought-provoking exposition explains why translation must constantly be revised, how our growing knowledge of ancient languages (like Ugaritic and Koine Greek) unlocks meaning, and why humility is essential when handling God's Word. We explore the fascinating contrast between the simple vocabulary of John the fisherman and the technical terms of Luke the physician. The video also highlights the honest approach of the King James translators, who admitted uncertainty rather than dogmatising. If you've ever wondered why Bibles differ, this is a must-watch.**Chapters** 00:00 – Introduction 01:10 – Challenging words & translation philosophy 03:46 – What is *hapax legomena*? (Definition) 06:00 – Frequency in the New Testament (1,672 times!) 08:02 – Author backgrounds: John vs. Luke vs. Paul 10:30 – The translator's dilemma: no other passages to compare 12:42 – Using the Septuagint and extra-biblical sources 14:38 – BDAG lexicon & early Christian literature 15:29 – King James Version preface: humility and margins 17:14 – Cognate languages: Ugaritic, Akkadian, Arabic, Coptic 18:46 – Conclusion: why ongoing discovery matters **Bible Verse Category**

A @Christadelphians Video: **[Inspiring]**Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful exploration into the foundations of our faith. In this outstanding expositional study, we delve into the fascinating history of the biblical canon. Where did our Old Testament come from, and how can we be confident in its authority? This revealing presentation tackles common questions about the 'extra books' found in some Bibles, providing wonderful clarity from both Scripture and history. Discover how the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles viewed these writings and how the inspired catalogue of Scripture was solidified long before His time.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction to the Canon of Scripture00:58 - The Question of 'Extra Books' (The Apocrypha)03:08 - Dating the Origin of the Apocryphal Books04:34 - New Testament Allusions to Apocryphal Writings07:38 - Use of Apocrypha by the Early Church Fathers10:14 - The Crucial Distinction: Inspired vs. Historical Use12:44 - Josephus & the 22 Books of the Hebrew Canon15:32 - Unified Historical Testimony on the Canon18:35 - The Canon at the Time of Christ20:14 - Why Quoting a Source Doesn't Mean It's Inspired21:35 - Jerome, the Vulgate & Medieval Confusion22:57 - The Apocrypha in Early English Bibles23:11 - Conclusion: The Divine Preservation of Scripture24:28 - Q&A: Are Apocryphal Prophecies Evidence of Inspiration?**Bible Verse Category:**

These words should be familiar to all Bible readers: they are the words of the “two men … in white robes” (a common way of describing angels) – it is what they said to the disciples as their astonished eyes watched their Lord ascend upwards “and a cloud received him out of their sight” [Acts 1 v.9-11].  We suspect it was no ordinary cloud, but like the cloud that Moses climbed up into on the mountain. (Exodus 24 v.16)Countless generations of Bible believers have looked for their Lord to descend from heaven in their lifetime.  The disciples had asked, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [v.6] and were told by their Lord they were to be “my witnesses in Jerusalem” – but ultimately that the witnessing was to be “to the end of the earth” [v.8]  He had said this earlier, also on the mount of Olives, “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [Matt. 24 v.14]The other sign which Jesus gave, which Luke also recorded, was that “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” [21 v.24]  Today, Jerusalem is constantly a centre of world attention – and the returned Jews have made it the capital of their resurrected country.  The evidence is plain that the climax of the ages is near. But we know, and must emphasize that it was not for his disciples, then or now, to know exactly when.  Notice again the answer of Jesus' when the disciples asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [v.6]  They were commissioned to be “my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria” [v.8]. It is for true believers today to complete that commission  “…and to the end of the earth.”Are you his disciple?  Are you helping this commission to be carried out?  If you are, you will be really looking for his return “in the same way (as the disciples) saw him go into heaven.”As his disciple you will be following the examples given in the book of Acts ,which we have now started reading. Notice the way in which the Old Testament is often quoted as an essential part of that message. It tells us many details of the Kingdom Jesus will set up, also giving us examples of faithful service (and failures) as we are reading in the book of Deuteronomy.

A 'Christadelphians Talk' Production: Art and Chris discuss 'Cult's', but particularly the unwarranted claim that the Christadelphians are often styled as a Cult on social media and web searches. A claim vehemently denied by the Christadelphian community of Bible Believers. Is there any mileage in this claim? We examine the characteristics of what a Cult is and see if it fits the practices of the Christadelphian Community at large. Please visit https://originalgospel.blog/ as mentioned in the interview.

Today we began reading Ecclesiastes – it says it was written by “the preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem [1 v.1]. We know this is Solomon and his first words are, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”What does vanity mean?  The lexicon says the Hebrew word means, transitory, emptiness.   Solomon is reviewing, apparently in his old age, all that he has accomplished in his life, he is overwhelmed by the feeling that in the final analysis it was all just “vanity” – he had accomplished nothing lasting.He reflects, “all things are full of weariness” [v.8], observing, “my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge” [v.16] but he saw it as “a striving after wind”. [v.17]. Tomorrow we will read his words, “then I considered all that my hands had done and all the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity” [2 v.11]We wonder to what extent today we will (or already are) look back on a lifetime of striving to make and then spend money – and see it in the end as simply “vanity”?   Also, those who fill so much of their ‘spare' time with tweeting and twittering and relaxation with TV and DVDs for entertainment will see the ultimate emptiness of time spent in this way?In contrast we saw today in John's Gospel the intensity of thought and meaning in the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. As it reaches its climax his mind is centred on his disciples, “Holy Father keep them in your name … that they may be one, even as we are one.” [17 v.11]  Unity of mind, how wonderful!Jesus continues, “they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” [v. 17-19].God's word is “truth,” it alone reveals the ultimate meaning of life and takes us – in thought – beyond “this world”.. Sanctify means to “be set apart” from the world so that  the main focus of our minds – is on God and his ways and what is really true – in an everlasting sense.  It is a truth we then take into our hearts and it becomes part of us.Finally, how meaningful are the words of Jesus to Pilate, “You say that I am a king.  For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” [18 v.37]. Sceptically Pilate asks, “What is truth?” [v.38]. Let us not be sceptical but read and “listen” to what we read and aim to fully possess “the wisdom from above” (James 3 v.17) so that our lives are “sanctified in truth.”

A @Christadelphians Video:In this thought-provoking Watchman Report, we examine one of the most outstanding prophetic signs of our times: the regathering of Israel. Is the modern State of Israel a mere political accident, or is it the direct fulfillment of ancient Bible prophecy? This insightful presentation explores the Scriptural evidence that reveals God's active hand in world events, faithfully restoring His people to their land as He promised.Join us for an expositional journey through the prophets, demonstrating that the return of the Jewish people is a clear indication that God's Word is being fulfilled before our eyes. This report provides a powerful, Scripture-based perspective on current events in the Middle East, affirming our confidence in the soon-coming Kingdom of God.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction00:25 - God's Purpose and Chosen People01:14 - Exile and the Promise of Return02:21 - Fulfillment: The Modern State of Israel03:19 - God's Unseen Hand in Regathering04:29 - Conclusion: A Sign of Christ's Return*Bible Verses Featured:*

A Christadelphian Video Production:Follow links to see what others say about the Christadelphian Community.The BBC “Christadelphians aim to get as close as possible to the faith and practice of the early Christian church. They describe themselves as “a lay community patterned after first century Christianity”.Wikipedia “Basing their beliefs solely on the Bible, Christadelphians differ from mainstream Christianity in a number of doctrinal areas.”There must be many people who feel that there is something outstandingly significant about the person and the teaching of Jesus Christ. Yet when they survey “Christianity”, both in its history and its modern forms, they find a wide variety of churches and communities, all with their differing foundations, teachings and practices. Feeling bewildered by the existence of so many groups claiming the name “Christian”, they may well give up the quest for “the truth” as hopeless.We draw the attention of the interested enquirer to the existence of a community of believers in Christ, calling themselves “Christadelphians”, organized in groups found throughout the world. Wherever they exist they have a fellowship founded upon an agreed basis of beliefs. Fundamental to their faith is the principle that what Christ and his apostles taught in the first century was truth, and it is still the truth today. The Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are their sole authority.CHRISTADELPHIANVIDEO.ORG, a worldwide collaboration by Christadelphians to help promote the understanding of God's Word to those who are seeking the Truth about the Human condition and God's plan and Purpose with the Earth and Mankind upon it.Christadelphianvideo.org is dedicated in establishing just how far removed today's mainstream Christianity is from the 'True Christian Teachings' of the 1st Century Apostles.You can follow us online at..Some of our other services..#1 Our Main site... https://cdvideo.org#2 Our podcast on Podbean... https://cdvideo.org/podcast#3 Our podcast on Apple...https://cdvideo.org/podcast-apple#4 Our podcast on Anchor...https://cdvideo.org/truth-talk#5 Our facebook...https://facebook.com/OpenBibles#6 Our Whats App... http://cdvideo.org/WhatsApp#7 Our Instagram... http://cdvideo.org/Instagram#8 Our twitter... http://cdvideo.org/twitter#9 Our YouTube Channel... http://cdvideo.org/youtube#10 Our Audio site Scripturescribe.com... https://cdvideo.org/mp3

What thought provoking chapters we continue to read in John's Gospel!  What point was Jesus making when he said, “If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him (or her); for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world” [12 v.47]And so it is true that the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus was NOT followed by actions of divine judgment on the people and the nation.   It seems remarkable that the time came when “a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” [Acts 6 v.7] – this was some time after the urgent appeal for repentance at and following the day of Pentecost when some 3,000 were baptized.But note the next words of Jesus in today's chapter, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” [v.48]   A knowledge of God's word as spoken by his son, inevitably causes a reaction in the minds of those who hear or read it, but for many, at first, it was a negative reaction – and today?What is it to “receive” the words of Jesus?  It is that they become part of you, of your thinking.  Jesus expresses displeasure at those who say “Let me first go and …” – he then comments that no-one who “looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” [Luke 9 v.59-61]Jesus warned his hearers that the time will come when “the master has risen and shut the door … you begin to stand outside … saying, ‘Open to us … we ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our streets … (but) there will be weeping when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.” [Luke 13 v.25-28]    Will others say, ‘but we did sometimes read your word'?Jesus continues, “people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.”  Will you be among them?   All those who had responded to “the word that I have spoken” – or who read that word and put it “first” in the priorities in their lives, having become conscious that their reaction to that word – in mind and deed – will be the basis of judgment “on the last day” – will surely be among them.May we all be there!  There is a hymn that ends, ‘We make the answer now.'

Today's readings.. (Deuteronomy 1), (Proverbs 28), (John 11)Today's 11th chapter in John's Gospel has that wonderful account of the raising of Lazarus. The ministry of Jesus, covering about 3 ½ years, is now approaching its' climax.  The authorities are intensifying their efforts to arrest and kill him and Jesus and his disciples are staying out of Judea.On getting news about Lazarus' sickness Jesus waits 2 days longer before saying to the disciples, ““Let us go to Judea again'.  The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you and are you going there again?''” [v.7,8]  Jesus makes a strange answer, “If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world” [v.9]  This world!?  This world is in spiritual darkness and the one who walks “in the night” says Jesus, “stumbles because the light is not in him” [v.10]  Are you in danger of stumbling?  Is the “light” in you?  What does Jesus mean?  In ch, 12 we will read, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” [v.46]  Remember also what we read in ch. 8 v.12Jesus tells his disciples, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe..  But let us go to him” [v.15]   We then have the well-known account of the remarkable raising of Lazarus after he had been dead for 4 days; and, as a result, “many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.”[v.45]   The Pharisees were told of this incredible miracle and the affect it had had; they became even more determined to put him to death – they saw his popularity as a threat that would “take away both our place and our nation.” [v.48]Now consider, over the last 104 years a modern miracle has occurred, it is 104years since Jerusalem and the land of Israel was delivered from the control of the Turks, the Muslims – and 73 years ago the U.N. voted in favour of at least part of the promised land becoming a Jewish nation, but the U.N. had no powers to enforce their decision: however, against overwhelming odds the Jews triumphed! It was the resurrection miracle of a nation, destroyed 1,951 years preciously,  which God's word had foretold. (Luke 21 v.24  Romans 11 v.25) This modern resurrection miracle has occurred as prophesied “that you may believe”  that is, those who read and really know God's word. May you be among them?  Do you really see “the light of the world” with the eyes of true faith – for as this world plunges into deeper darkness – only those with genuine faith will endure. 

Today's readings.. (Numbers 36), (Proverbs 27), (John 9,10)  Today's chapters in John's Gospel very graphically illustrate the impact Jesus was having on the people and the jealousy this caused among their religious leaders.  He heals a man who had been born blind, who had never been able to see – utterly remarkable.  The religious leaders tell this man to “give glory to God, saying, “we know this man (Jesus) is a sinner” [9 v.24] They cannot deny that an amazing miracle has occurred, but say, “We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.”      The healed man answers them, Why this is an amazing thing!  You do not know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes” [v.29,30]  Their anger boils over against the man as he persists in reasoning with them and telling them, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”  They end up telling him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?' And they cast him out.” [v.33,34]     This made us think of the increasing blindness of so many today who keep on saying at every opportunity, indeed making opportunities, to declare there is NO god, there never was a Creator, everything that exists is the result of countless happens of pure chance!  “This is an amazing thing” especially that people persist in this way of thinking!     Yet in one way we can understand why this is so – it is because the established church, especially the R.C. church are so hypocritical – in some ways they are parallel to the religious people who surrounded Jesus.        Those who are willing to read God's word for themselves – and to keep reading so that they get its full flavour and meaning – are conscious of the amazing message that unfolds and that becomes clearer the more they read.  But sadly, as we read in John's next chapter there are others that hinder the message – Jesus says, “He who is a  hired hand, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.” [v.12]  Sadly this happened!     But scattered sheep can listen and, even today, hear “the good shepherd” through reading the words which he inspired his followers to remember and write down (see ch. 14 v.25-27) so that true sheep, even in the 21st Century, can “hear” his voice by reading his words and those of his disciples and other of God's prophets. If they feed on them every day they find the only true pasture in the wilderness of this world – and will come into the promised land.  

Today's readings.. (Numbers 35), (Proverbs 26), (John 8) What did Jesus mean, “The Truth will set you free?” Free from what?  The 8th chapter of John today contains aspects of the teachings of Jesus that we have to think around and put into context to get the correct meaning.  The critics of Jesus were usually those whose thought processes were mechanical.  Concerning the woman caught in adultery, They thought they had him cornered, if he said the Mosaic law should be observed and she should be stoned they would probably have done so, or got others to, and then blamed Jesus before the Roman authorities because the Jews had no right to put anyone to death – that is why they brought Jesus before Pilate.. See John 18 v.31.If Jesus has said something different, they would have denounced him before the people for not upholding the law!   His reaction confounded them – and after he said “Let him who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” [v.7] they slunk away from Jesus, no one was without sin among them. Only Jesus was without sin – and he said to her, “Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?  She said, ‘No one Lord'  And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'” [v.10,11]  Notice how she addresses Jesus as “Lord”!  She saw him as far more than a “teacher” which is how the Jews addressed him.Jesus speaks to all who come to him – in the same words as he spoke to the woman – whatever our failures have been, and the closer we come to “the light of the world” the more we are aware of those failures – but we also learn the truth of his words, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” [v.12] and all the “darkness” in our character will be obliterated, indeed Christ will then be “formed in you.” [Gal. 4 v.19]Jesus went on to tell them, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” [v.31,32[    The key action on our part is to “abide” in the word of Jesus.  John uses the Gk word for ‘abide' more than 40 times in his gospel and the translators render it variously as ‘continue', ‘dwell'  ‘remaining' etc. Are you abiding in his word? Is the word ‘abiding' in you?  If the answer is ‘Yes' – you have been set free!Jesus made the point, “ … I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” – it has become part of their character.  But “if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed” [v.36]   He told the religious leaders, “…you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.” [v.37]   May it have found a place in us – in you – or will soon do so. Remember Jesus said, “Whoever is of God hears the words of God.” [v.47] – and as we read – we “hear.”