Podcasts about Caesarea

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-65100a747722969df085d1220a240bc2{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-65100a747722969df085d1220a240bc2 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-65100a747722969df085d1220a240bc2 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 21Acts 24:22 – 25:12 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – July 21 Acts 24:22 – 25:12 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0721db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Acts 24 22 Then Felix, [1] because he was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the proceedings. He said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs. 24 Several days later, Felix appeared in public with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 While Paul instructed him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and replied, “Leave me for now, but when it is convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time, he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, [2] and for this reason he sent for him as often as possible and talked with him. 27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. But because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. Paul on Trial Before Festus Acts 25 1 Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 Then the high priests and the leaders of the Jews brought formal charges against Paul 3 and asked Festus for the favor of transferring Paul's case to Jerusalem. Their plan was to ambush and kill Paul along the way. 4 However, Festus replied that Paul was being held in custody at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there soon. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let some of your leaders go down with me and press charges against him, if there is anything evil about the man.” 6 After spending no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day, he sat on the judicial bench and ordered Paul to be brought in. 7 When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they could not prove. 8 Paul said in his defense, “I have not committed any offense against the Jewish law, against the temple, or against Caesar.” 9 But since Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor, he said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's judicial bench, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as also you yourself know very well. 11 If I am guilty and have done something worthy of death, I am not trying to escape death. But if there is nothing to the charges they are making against me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 After Festus conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!” Footnotes Acts 24:22 Some witnesses to the text add when he heard these things. Acts 24:26 A few witnesses to the text add in order that he might release him. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

The First Step of Faith God is still speaking, and His people are already hearing His voice more often than they realize. The challenge is rarely whether God is speaking, but whether His people are listening and responding. Holy Spirit leads through Scripture, wise counsel, providential circumstances, spiritual gifts, and the inner witness that gently directs believers toward obedience. “God is still speaking and you are hearing him,” yet His guidance usually comes as a quiet nudge rather than a dramatic interruption. Learning to recognize that gentle leading is part of growing in spiritual maturity and walking closely with Christ. Faith often begins with incomplete instructions rather than complete explanations. Philip was called away from a thriving revival in Samaria and told only to travel to a lonely desert road. He received no detailed plan, no promise of results, and no explanation. He simply obeyed. “Incomplete directions require complete obedience.” As Philip responded to each step, God revealed the next one. Divine guidance unfolded progressively, reminding believers that “we don’t hear the next direction until we follow the first.” God prepares opportunities long before His servants recognize them. Philip did not create a divine appointment with the Ethiopian official. He arrived because he had faithfully followed Holy Spirit’s leading. Instead of announcing his own credentials, Philip approached with humility, asked questions, opened the Scriptures, and proclaimed Jesus. Holy Spirit continues to lead people to Scripture because Scripture leads people to Christ. Obedience to God’s voice shapes far more than a single moment. Philip’s willingness to surrender comfort led him into a lifetime of fruitful ministry and eventually established him in Caesarea, where his family became known for faithfully serving God. The journey rarely follows the path people would choose for themselves, but Holy Spirit faithfully leads those who trust Him one step at a time. Simple daily practices of seeking God, obeying His promptings, and reflecting each evening on where His voice was followed cultivate hearts that become increasingly sensitive to His leading. The post The First Step of Faith appeared first on Revival Life Church Boca Raton, FL.

Acts 8 begins with the day of Stephen's death:    Then  +   Now - What we learn All things - work together for good (God used the persecution for His purpose in spreading the Gospel) We read in Acts 8:1 that starting that day (of Stephen's death) a massive persecution broke out against the believers in Jerusalem and especially against those like Stephen, Greek speakers, who were not native to Jerusalem. And the believers (except the apostles) fled throughout Judea and Samaria and still they talked about Jesus everywhere they went. Gospel Peace - that the message of Jesus changes people and brings divine peace between us and God. Philip and the Samaritans Acts 8:5-8. Philip proclaimed the Messiah in Samaria and when people heard him and saw the signs he performed, that paid close attention to what he said as he proclaimed the risen Savior to them. Spirit Guided - As followers of Jesus we cannot believe in Him without the Holy Spirit. And we are called to listen to the Holy Spirit, go where the Holy Spirit leads, and to keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 8:26-27a. Philip is told by the Holy Spirit to take the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. He simply obeys God. So from Samaria he heads to that road. Prophetic Word has power.  When we share with others, Jesus story,  that story has power! To change people, to change lives! Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch along the road. Acts 27a - 34.  This man worked for the Queen of the Ethiopians. The man was reading the Book of Isaiah while riding in his carriage on the way back to Ethiopia. Then the Holy Spirit told Philip to go to the carriage and stay near it.  He could hear the Ethiopian reading Isaiah.  Philip asks if the man understood what he was reading and is invited into the carriage to explain the verses. The verses were, verses 32-35: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."  These are verses all about Jesus' trial, crucifixion and death. And the man pleads with Philip to tell him who is being talked about. And Philip tells him all about Jesus the Messiah. Christ's witnesses - we are to be God's witnesses to the world as we fallow Him using the gifts He has given us.   Philip baptizes the Ethiopian Acts 8:36 -  40 we read that they came to some water and the Ethiopian says that nothing is standing in the way of him being baptized, because after hearing of Jesus, his life was changed. They stop the carriage and he is baptized. As they came up out of the water the Spirit suddenly took Philip away while the Ethiopian continued rejoicing in Jesus. Verse 40 tells us that Philip continued to preach the gospel in all the town along the way to Caesarea.    FLASHBACK to Acts 1:8 Jesus says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." We see Jesus' words being fulfilled in Philip's story.   We to can be part of that story! Our testimonies can have a ripple effect in spreading the Good News of Jesus.    Set aside excuses and recommit to the Lord Jesus and the Father. Listen to the Holy Spirit and allow God to do amazing things with our lives for His kingdom. Using us is just what He desires to do in winning the world to Himself!   This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:   Acts chapter 8-9 (read and reflect on these two chapters together).     Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.   Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now   Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos   Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Can A Person Change, Reinvent Themselves; Can A Leopard Change Its Spots? Through Christ...YES! Acts 9:26-30 New International Version Par ▾ Saul's Conversion 1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. 23After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, a but they tried to kill him. 30When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Acts 8:26-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,     and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,     so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.     Who can speak of his descendants?     For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Jewish world and real estate correspondent Zev Stub joins host Gabriella Jacobs for today’s episode. We begin our conversation by diving into the Maccabiah Games, which are being held at venues across Israel through July 13. Zev Stub explains how, after last year's Maccabiah was postponed because of Israel's June 2025 war with Iran, the opening of the two-week competition carried an added sense of symbolism and significance. We then examine Stub's reporting on the Israeli Chief Rabbinate's apparent decision on Thursday to authorize the liberal Tzohar Rabbinical Organization to issue kashrut certifications under Israeli law for the first time, following a High Court of Justice ruling last month requiring it to withdraw its refusal to recognize the group. Within hours, however, the decision was thrown into doubt, with senior officials saying the approval had not been properly authorized and therefore had no legal standing. Stub walks us through the competing claims and the possible outcomes. In the second half of our discussion, Stub delivers a real estate snapshot of current trends in Israel's housing market. We analyze how the strong shekel, fluctuating interest rates and rising antisemitism worldwide are shaping buyer behavior. To close, Stub takes us inside "Bat Sheba's Palace," a Caesarea property listed for an asking price of $210 million. With gold-plated fountains, imported stone and nearly 74,000 square feet (6,900 square meters) of interior space, the Versailles-inspired estate embodies a level of luxury once unimaginable in the Jewish state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two thousand years ago, in the seaside city of Caesarea, the Apostle Paul stood on trial before a corrupt Roman governor—and what unfolded reads a little like a championship game. Pastor Jim Scudder walks through Acts 24 play by play—kickoff, offense, defense, the fumble, and the punt—as a smooth-talking lawyer's flattery collides with Paul's fearless defense of the resurrection. But the real drama begins the moment Felix starts to tremble. At the heart of it are three things every one of us must face: yesterday's sin, today's temptation, and tomorrow's judgment. So why did a governor who came "so close" still walk away—and what will you do with the very same choice? Scripture referenced: Acts 24:1-27; Acts 23:3; Proverbs 26:28; Romans 3:22-23; Acts 17:31.

Walk Where Jesus Walked: The Holy Land Tour That Will Transform Your Faith Have you ever wanted to walk where Jesus walked? In this episode, Rob sits down with longtime minister and Bible teacher Mike Fontenau from Perth, Australia, to discuss an unforgettable opportunity—a guided Holy Land tour planned for October 2027. With more than twenty years of experience leading biblical tours through Israel, Mike shares how visiting the places you've only read about can completely transform your understanding of Scripture. From the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum to Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, Jericho, Bethlehem, Caesarea, Mount Carmel, and beyond, every stop includes a Bible lesson that connects the location with God's story. Mike also explains how the tour is organized, what is included, safety considerations, and why this may be his final Holy Land tour. In this episode you'll discover: • Why visiting Israel brings the Bible to life • The major biblical sites included on the tour • Lessons taught where biblical events actually happened • Why Galilee and Jerusalem offer two very different experiences • What makes this tour different from a typical vacation • The current plans for the October 2027 trip • Tour costs and what is included • Thoughts on safety and travel in Israel • Why this may be Mike Fontenau's final Holy Land tour Whether you've dreamed of visiting Israel for years or simply want to deepen your understanding of Scripture, this conversation will inspire your faith and help you picture the Bible in an entirely new way. To learn more about future opportunities, stay connected through RobSkinner.com. My goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches.

Send us a message!Paul walks into Jerusalem knowing suffering is coming, then watches God turn a violent arrest into a string of chances to speak about Jesus. We track Paul's defenses before the Sanhedrin and Felix and wrestle with what it looks like to treat hard situations as a captive audience for the gospel. • Paul's decision to go to Jerusalem despite clear warnings of persecution • The Sanhedrin confrontation and Paul's pivot to the hope of resurrection • The murder conspiracy and how Paul's nephew helps stop the ambush • The Roman escort to Caesarea and Lysias' letter to Governor Felix • The courtroom clash with Tertullus and Paul's fact-based defense • Paul's message to Felix about faith, righteousness, self-control, and judgment • The tension of delayed justice and Paul's long imprisonment • The closing challenge to share Jesus where you are, even when it's uncomfortable  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Friday morning, the 26th of June, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to the Book of Acts 23:26-30: ”To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council. I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell.” This is a letter written by an unbeliever, we're assuming, a Roman commander to his Governor, Felix. This man actually saved one of Christianity's greatest ambassadors, the Apostle Paul. You know what the Lord laid on my heart this morning? I really want to share it with you. As Christians, we must learn to speak up, and we must learn to get involved with the things of this world. Now you've heard me say many times before, we are sojourners, we are travellers through a foreign land. This is not our home, our home is in Heaven, but this man is an example to us. He got involved and as a result saved the life of Paul, the Apostle. If he hadn't got involved and sent this letter with his soldiers to Caesarea, to the Governor Felix, Paul would have been killed. I don't know how many times unbelievers have put us to shame when it comes to doing the right thing. We walk past, we look the other way. We must not do that. We are not of this world, but we are representatives of Jesus Christ in the world. He could have just turned the other way and said, ”Look, it's got nothing to do with me. Do what you like with him.” They would have killed him. Today, you and I, as ambassadors of Christ have a responsibility in society to speak up and say, “Hey, that's not right” or to defend an innocent man. Jesus bless you and let's stand up for the king. Goodbye.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: Jesus rescues a very young girl from slavery through the intercession of Claudia, wife of the Proconsul.Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.Human trafficking, sex slavery.

Send us a message!We follow Paul's final steps toward Jerusalem as warning after warning lands, and he still chooses obedience over safety. Then we watch the tension explode into a mob, a public defense, and a moment where Paul's citizenship changes everything while challenging us to think about our own. • Paul's journey from Tyre to Caesarea and the repeated Spirit-given warnings • Agabus' prophecy and Paul's willingness to suffer for Jesus • Paul's arrival in Jerusalem and the elders' plan to address rumors • The temple accusation that sparks a riot and nearly kills Paul • Paul's defense in Aramaic and his retelling of the Damascus road conversion • The crowd's reaction to the mission to the Gentiles • Paul's Roman citizenship halting an unlawful interrogation • The closing reflection on dual citizenship and Christian boldness  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: Shopping near the market at Caesarea on the Sea, Jesus gives the Parable of the Father who gives his children the same amount of money. Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching

A plot was discovered to assassinate Paul. But overnight, Paul was moved to Caesarea. His case would be heard by the Judean Governor. Paul must have wondered what God was doing as he found himself locked up in a Roman cell. But his suffering became a path to greater witness. While it's easy to draw conclusions in our own lives, faith teaches us to recognize more of what God might be doing. Who knows what God might be doing in our own loss, struggle, and discouragement?  

A @Christadelphians Video: Join **we, the Christadelphians**, for this **outstanding** and **thought-provoking** Bible exposition with Sam Tomkins as we continue our series on *Peter after the Resurrection*. In part four, ‘Healing and Hope in Sharon', we witness God's **wonderful** preparation of Peter for a watershed moment—the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles.This **revealing** study traces Peter's journey through Lydda and Joppa, where two miraculous healings (Aeneas and Tabitha) become powerful pictures of the spiritual condition of the nations—lame and dead, yet raised to walk before God. With **insightful** connections to Cornelius in Caesarea, we see how God spare no effort to transform Peter's heart, moving him from ritual separation to embracing the very people he once avoided.You'll be captivated by the **expositional** depth as we uncover Old Testament echoes—Psalm 41, Exodus 30, Leviticus 20—and the stunning symbolism of Joppa as the place where Gentile raw material was brought for the temple. This is a **wonderful** reminder that our Heavenly Father works patiently behind the scenes in our lives too, preparing us for His purposes.Whether you're a long-standing believer or new to Scripture, this video will inspire and strengthen your faith. Don't miss the climactic moment when Peter declares, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.”##

A @Christadelphians Video: ## YouTube Video DescriptionJoin **we, the Christadelphians**, for this **outstanding** and **thought-provoking** Bible exposition with Sam Tomkins as we continue our series on *Peter after the Resurrection*. In part four, ‘Healing and Hope in Sharon', we witness God's **wonderful** preparation of Peter for a watershed moment—the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles.This **revealing** study traces Peter's journey through Lydda and Joppa, where two miraculous healings (Aeneas and Tabitha) become powerful pictures of the spiritual condition of the nations—lame and dead, yet raised to walk before God. With **insightful** connections to Cornelius in Caesarea, we see how God spare no effort to transform Peter's heart, moving him from ritual separation to embracing the very people he once avoided.You'll be captivated by the **expositional** depth as we uncover Old Testament echoes—Psalm 41, Exodus 30, Leviticus 20—and the stunning symbolism of Joppa as the place where Gentile raw material was brought for the temple. This is a **wonderful** reminder that our Heavenly Father works patiently behind the scenes in our lives too, preparing us for His purposes.Whether you're a long-standing believer or new to Scripture, this video will inspire and strengthen your faith. Don't miss the climactic moment when Peter declares, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.”##

Pastor John Ryan Cantu brings this week's message, “Mission in the Desert.” Acts 8:26-36, 38-40 ESV: “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.” If you enjoyed the podcast, please subscribe and share it with your friends on social media. For more information about PNEUMA Church, visit our website at mypneumachurch.org.Connect with Us: Instagram: https://instagram.com/mypneumachurch YouTube: https://youtube.com/mypneumachurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/mypneumachurch Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Welcome 02:05 - Acts 8:26-36, 38-40 ESV 04:00 - Mission in the Desert

When Religion Gets in the WayActs 11:1-18Teacher: Pastor Tom YarbroughDate: June 14, 2026As we continue the narrative of the conversion of Cornelius the Gentile and his household, the final scene takes place back in Jerusalem, where not everyone in the church is pleased with Peter's mission to Caesarea. We are introduced to a group of strict Jewish believers, known as the ”circumcision party”, who take exception with Peter's fellowship with Gentiles, whom they consider unclean. This group identifies themselves primarily through their own adherence to Jewish custom rather than their new life in Christ. Peter's response is to give a reasonable and orderly defense that not only shares the new spiritual vision he has been given but also leaves no room for doubt that this movement is the work of the Holy Spirit as confirmed by the words of Jesus himself. How can this passage encourage us today when we too may be tempted to cling to any identity other than a gospel identity? Join Pastor Tom Yarbrough as we study through Acts 11:1-18 together.Support the showTo find more resources like these, follow us:Website: https://thevillagechapel.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVTzDbaiXVUAm_mUBDCTJAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tvcnashville/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tvcnashvilleX: https://twitter.com/tvcnashvilleTo support the ongoing mission of The Village Chapel go to https://thevillagechapel.com/give/. If you are a regular giver, thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity!

Trinity Anglican Seminary is built on the same daily prayer rhythms you practice every time you hit play. Morning Prayer. Evening Prayer. Weekly Eucharist. It's a place where chapel and classroom aren't two separate worlds, they're one. Whether you're pursuing a degree or exploring a certificate in Anglican studies, come experience being formed in community around study and prayer at Trinity. Registration is now open for their fall classes at tas.edu/dailyoffice.Evening Prayer for Sunday, June 14, 2026 (Proper 5; Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea and Teacher of the Faith, 379).Psalm and Scripture readings (60-day Psalter):Psalm 107:23-43Ezekiel 33:1-23, 30-33Acts 15:1-21Click here to support The Daily Office Podcast with a one-time gift or a recurring donation.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to access the text for the Daily Office at DailyOffice2019.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trinity Anglican Seminary is built on the same daily prayer rhythms you practice every time you hit play. Morning Prayer. Evening Prayer. Weekly Eucharist. It's a place where chapel and classroom aren't two separate worlds, they're one. Whether you're pursuing a degree or exploring a certificate in Anglican studies, come experience being formed in community around study and prayer at Trinity. Registration is now open for their fall classes at tas.edu/dailyoffice.Morning Prayer for Sunday, June 14, 2026 (Proper 5; Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea and Teacher of the Faith, 379).Psalm and Scripture readings (60-day Psalter):Psalm 107:1-22Joshua 14:5-15Luke 23:50-24:12Click here to support The Daily Office Podcast with a one-time gift or a recurring donation.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to access the text for the Daily Office at DailyOffice2019.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support us on Patreon for Member access to our special podcast series where we go in depth on books of the Bible. Ongoing season: Hebrews. You will also gain access to the entire archive of Season 1: The Gospel of John and Season 2: The Book of Exodus Apply for Saint Paul's House of Formation Email us Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications Word & Table Episode Index

Although it is not among the older cities in the Bible, it is one of the most important. Caesarea Maritima is the harbor gateway into Israel. Built by Herod the Great, it is also a tribute to Rome. Later, it would become the base of Pontius Pilate and other Roman officials. But later, God would redeem this city and turn it into an intellectual center for the early church. Cole and Terry discuss the redemption story and impactful history of Caesarea.

Fr Peter George Flynn brings the Acts of the Apostles close to its end, following Paul's defence before King Agrippa in the audience hall at Caesarea — where Paul retells his Damascus Road conversion for the last time in the book. The episode turns on a single question Paul throws at Agrippa: do you believe […] L'articolo Catechesis – Do You Believe the Prophets? – Fr Peter George Flynn OFMConv proviene da Radio Maria.

Important Links:Dad Tired Annual RetreatHost A Dad Tired Conference at your churchJoin the FREE Family Leadership ProgramShop the Dad Tired store for best-selling gearWhen your soul feels anxious, restless, angry, or worn down, what do you do?In this episode of Dad Tired, Pastor Kaleb points men back to one of the most overlooked gifts God has given us for caring for our souls: the Psalms. The Psalms give language to the deepest parts of us — our fear, sorrow, repentance, betrayal, joy, gratitude, and hope.If you've ever thought, “I don't even know what's going on inside of me,” this episode will help you see the Psalms as God's invitation to pray when you don't know how to pray.Kaleb walks through how Jesus, the apostles, and the early church leaned on the Psalms in moments of suffering, anxiety, worship, and spiritual battle. You'll be encouraged to stop treating the Psalms as ancient poetry only, and start using them as daily prayers for your soul.In this episode, you'll learn:How the Psalms help diagnose and shepherd your soulWhy Jesus prayed the Psalms in His sufferingHow the early church used the Psalms in moments of fear and persecutionWhy the Psalms give language to anxiety, repentance, grief, and worshipA simple practice for praying through the Psalms each weekWhether you're anxious, tired, tempted, grateful, or grieving, the Psalms give you words to bring your whole heart before God.Mentioned in this episode:Psalm 22, Psalm 23, Psalm 42, Psalm 51, Psalm 63, Psalm 88, Psalm 91, Psalm 103, Psalm 116, Matthew 26, Acts 4, John Calvin, Athanasius, Basil of Caesarea. Important Links:Dad Tired Annual RetreatHost A Dad Tired Conference at your churchJoin the FREE Family Leadership ProgramShop the Dad Tired store for best-selling gear

What is the default assumption regarding a gentile's intent when an animal is slaughtered? The rabbis hold that we do not automatically assume a gentile intends it for idol worship unless he explicitly says so, while Rabbi Eliezer holds a gentile's default intent is for idol worship. Rabbi Yosi argues that even if he does intend it for idol worship, we do not say that one person's intent affects another person's act of slaughter. The Gemara presents two ways to explain this dispute and whether the principle of one person intending and another performing the action applies outside the Temple just as it does inside. What is the status of an animal if the slaughter was performed with the intent to perform a later part of the service, like throwing the blood or burning the fat, for idol worship? Rabbi Yochanan rules that the animal is disqualified because we can transfer intent from one action to another, and we learn the laws outside the Temple from the laws inside. Reish Lakish rules that it is permitted because we do not transfer intent from one action to another outside the Temple. The Gemara notes they hold the same argument regarding internal Temple sacrifices and l'shma intent, and then explains why it was necessary to state that they argue in both cases. A difficulty is raised against Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish from Rabbi Yosi's position in the Mishna, but is resolved. A braita is then brought to support Rabbi Yochanan's position. What is the law if someone performs shechita and only thinks about sprinkling the blood for idol worship after the slaughter is finished? The Gemara cites a case in Caesarea where the Sages did not rule whether it was forbidden or permitted. The issue is whether or not a later action or statement retroactively proves the initial intent. After attempting to connect their ruling with the rabbis' and Rabbi Eliezer's positions, that suggestion is rejected and they say it connects with Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel's ruling. However, the Gemara tries to figure out which ruling of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel it connects to. Rav Yehuda says in the name of Shmuel that the halakha follows Rabbi Yosi, meaning the gentile's intent does not disqualify the Jew's shechita. The Gemara brings a story where gentiles gave animals to a Jewish butcher and stated the blood and fat were for them, and it was permitted. Rav Ashi qualifies that if a gentile gives money to a Jewish butcher under Rabbi Eliezer's view, it is only forbidden if the gentile is powerful enough that the butcher cannot refuse his intent.

The Council of Constantinople as part of Sam and Hank's church Fathers series.00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:45 - Fourth Century Review00:16:00 - The Council begins00:20:20 - The Macedonians00:23:00 - Meletius of Antioch00:28:30 - Gregory of Nazianzus00:38:40 - Nectarius of Constantinople00:44:40 - The Canons of Constantinople00:49:20 - Aftermath00:55:30 - The Creed, or lack thereofRoman EmperorsConstantine the Great (Emperor who convened the Council of Nicaea)Constans (Son of Constantine, ruler of the West)Constantius II (Son of Constantine, ruler of the East)Julian the Apostate (Nephew of Constantine who rejected Christianity)Jovian (Imperial bodyguard commander who briefly succeeded Julian)Valentinian I (Western Emperor who appointed his brother Valens)Valens (Pro-Arian Eastern Emperor killed at Adrianople)Theodosius the Great (Spanish general made Emperor who convened the Council of 381)The Cappadocian Fathers & Allied TheologiansGregory of Nazianzus (Theologian, short-lived chairman of the Council, and Bishop of Constantinople)Basil the Great (Bishop of Caesarea who orchestrated the pro-Nicene strategy)Gregory of Nyssa (Brother of Basil, theologian who delivered Meletius's funeral oration)Meletius of Antioch (Initial chairman of the Council of Constantinople whose sudden death caused turmoil)Other Historical Church FiguresAmbrose of Milan (Influential Western bishop and advisor to emperors)Nectarius of Constantinople (The unbaptized Senator suddenly elected as Bishop and Council chairman)Paulinus of Antioch (Rival pro-Nicene bishop of Antioch backed by Rome and Alexandria)Euzoius of Antioch (Arian bishop appointed to replace Meletius)Maximus the Cynic (Rival candidate whose claim to the see of Constantinople was invalidated by Canon 4)Augustine of Hippo (Prolific Western Church Father referenced in the aftermath)Jerome (Translator of the Vulgate, referenced in the 4th-century timeline)Theological Figures (Eponymous Heresiarchs Mentioned)Arius (Originator of the Arian controversy regarding the Son's divinity)Macedonius I of Constantinople (Pneumatomachian leader whose followers denied the divinity of the Spirit)Eunomius of Cyzicus (Leader of the radical "Anomoean" or hardcore Arian faction)Photinus of Sirmium (4th-century bishop who taught a form of Biblical Unitarianism/Dynamic Monarchianism)Paul of Samosata (3rd-century adoptionist Bishop of Antioch)Apollinaris of Laodicea (Taught that Jesus had a human body but a divine mind instead of a human soul)Sabellius (3rd-century theologian who taught Modalism/Sabellianism)Marcellus of Ancyra (Strict Monarchian theologian condemned for his views on the lifespan of Christ's kingdom)Eudoxius of Constantinople (Prominent Arian bishop referenced in Canon 1)

What is the default assumption regarding a gentile's intent when an animal is slaughtered? The rabbis hold that we do not automatically assume a gentile intends it for idol worship unless he explicitly says so, while Rabbi Eliezer holds a gentile's default intent is for idol worship. Rabbi Yosi argues that even if he does intend it for idol worship, we do not say that one person's intent affects another person's act of slaughter. The Gemara presents two ways to explain this dispute and whether the principle of one person intending and another performing the action applies outside the Temple just as it does inside. What is the status of an animal if the slaughter was performed with the intent to perform a later part of the service, like throwing the blood or burning the fat, for idol worship? Rabbi Yochanan rules that the animal is disqualified because we can transfer intent from one action to another, and we learn the laws outside the Temple from the laws inside. Reish Lakish rules that it is permitted because we do not transfer intent from one action to another outside the Temple. The Gemara notes they hold the same argument regarding internal Temple sacrifices and l'shma intent, and then explains why it was necessary to state that they argue in both cases. A difficulty is raised against Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish from Rabbi Yosi's position in the Mishna, but is resolved. A braita is then brought to support Rabbi Yochanan's position. What is the law if someone performs shechita and only thinks about sprinkling the blood for idol worship after the slaughter is finished? The Gemara cites a case in Caesarea where the Sages did not rule whether it was forbidden or permitted. The issue is whether or not a later action or statement retroactively proves the initial intent. After attempting to connect their ruling with the rabbis' and Rabbi Eliezer's positions, that suggestion is rejected and they say it connects with Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel's ruling. However, the Gemara tries to figure out which ruling of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel it connects to. Rav Yehuda says in the name of Shmuel that the halakha follows Rabbi Yosi, meaning the gentile's intent does not disqualify the Jew's shechita. The Gemara brings a story where gentiles gave animals to a Jewish butcher and stated the blood and fat were for them, and it was permitted. Rav Ashi qualifies that if a gentile gives money to a Jewish butcher under Rabbi Eliezer's view, it is only forbidden if the gentile is powerful enough that the butcher cannot refuse his intent.

Fr Peter George Flynn continues through the Acts of the Apostles, following St Paul to Caesarea and into the court of Felix — a former slave turned governor. The Roman historian Tacitus recorded his profound cruelty, which stands in stark contrast to the flattery of the high priest's hired orator, Tertullus. The episode turns on […] L'articolo Catechesis – Felix: The Cruel Slave-Turned-Governor – Fr Peter George Flynn OFMConv proviene da Radio Maria.

Pastor Matt opens by setting the stage with Acts 1:8, the last recorded words of Jesus before his ascension, where he commands his followers to be witnesses "to the ends of the earth." For the first nine chapters of Acts, the gospel had been spreading rapidly — but almost exclusively among Jewish people. The burning question hanging over the early church was this: What about the Gentiles? Could people who were not ethnically Jewish truly become part of God's family? Acts 10–11 answers that question decisively, Marking one of the greatest turning points in the entire book. Through a pair of divine visions — one given to Cornelius, a Roman centurion and God-fearer stationed in Caesarea, and one given to Peter involving a sheet full of unclean animals — God begins dismantling centuries of cultural, ethnic, and religious walls. When Peter steps into the home of Cornelius and shares the gospel, the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles just as he had on the Jews at Pentecost. Peter's response says it all: "Who was I that I could stand in God's way?" Back in Jerusalem, the church initially pushes back, but when they hear the full account, they fall silent and glorify God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life" (Acts 11:18). Pastor Matt brings the message home with three practical takeaways: God is pursuing people we might tend to overlook; following Jesus means letting him reshape our perspectives and assumptions; and the Holy Spirit directs and confirms God's mission to all people. The call to action is clear — just as someone once crossed out of their comfort zone so the gospel could reach us, it is now our turn to step into uncomfortable obedience and move toward the people God is already pursuing.

Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Ten and Verse Twenty Four

During the persecutions of the Emperor Maximian, the virgin Theodosia came to comfort a group of Christians who were standing before the governor of Caesarea in Palestine. When she encouraged them not to shun martyrdom, she too was brought before the judge, who ordered that a stone be tied around her neck and that she be thrown into the sea; but angels carried her to shore unharmed. The judge then ordered that she be beheaded. The night that the sentence was carried out, Theodosia appeared to her parents, surrounded by heavenly light and accompanied by other virgin martyrs, and said, 'Do you see how great is the glory and grace of my Christ, of which you wished to deprive me?' (Her parents, wishing to preserve her from martyrdom, had tried to prevent her from confessing Christ).

Welcome to "The PLOT Against You Just Got INTERCEPTED — Acts 23." Today, Pastor Sean Pinder invites you to receive a word about divine protection, spiritual warfare, and how God exposes and cancels every secret plot, every conspiracy, and every plan the enemy has formed against your life — because the plot against you has already FAILED.More than forty men made a vow. They swore an oath that they would not eat or drink until they had killed the Apostle Paul. Forty people. One target. A secret conspiracy. And God already knew about every word of it."But Paul's nephew heard about the plot and went to the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, 'Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.'" — Acts 23:16-17 (NLT)Let these words resonate within your heart today. God used a young boy — Paul's nephew — to expose a plot that forty armed men had sworn in secret. The enemy thought the plan was hidden. The enemy thought no one knew. Take comfort in this truth — there is no plot formed against you in darkness that God cannot expose in the light. He sees every conspiracy. He hears every secret meeting. And He will always send the right person at the right moment to cancel what the enemy planned against your life."The commander called two of his officers and ordered, 'Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o'clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted horsemen.'" — Acts 23:23 (NLT)Understand this — God sent 470 soldiers to escort one man. Forty men made a vow to kill Paul. God mobilized 470 soldiers in response. That is the God we serve. He does not match the enemy's resources — He OVERWHELMS them. Every plot against your life will be met with a divine response that is disproportionately greater than anything the enemy deployed against you.May this teaching from Acts 23:12-24 fill your heart with peace and remind you that no secret plot formed against you shall prosper. Remember — it is only when we trust in God's protection that we discover He has already been cancelling assignments against us that we never even knew existed. Thank you for joining me today. Subscribe for daily teachings, morning prayer broadcasts, and live services.

Touring The Land Of Israel  -  Caesarea Part 6:  What's New In Caesarea?  -  English only.  Caesarea is home to many incredible ancient archaeological remains. But Caesarea's harbor has recently yielded some additional finds that are both stunning and more modern.  Recorded January 20, 2026.

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.

The Resurrection Revolution: Resurrection for FamiliesSpeaker: Elisha HaleIn Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. One afternoon about three o'clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said. Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. Acts 10:1-5 NLT[Peter and his friends] arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. Acts 10:24 NLTPeter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.  Acts 10:28 NLT“I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. Acts 10:34b-36, 39b-40a, 44-45 NLT The Holy Spirit Heals Families When I. . .1.  Heal First.“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free”Luke 4:18 NLT2.  Refuse to Retaliate.Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.1 Peter 3:9b NLT3. Affirm Boundaries.For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.2 Timothy 1:7 BSB4. Extend Peace.If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.Romans 12:18 NIVBlessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of GOD…  Matthew 5:9 KJV

Welcome to Day 2856 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – When Death Becomes Policy: How Christians Must Respond to a Dehumanizing System. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2856 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2856 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled:  When Death Becomes Policy: How Christians Must Respond to a Dehumanizing System. The biblical view of human life begins with the most foundational truth in Scripture: “God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1 verse twenty-seven). Unlike the surrounding cultures of the ancient Near East, where only kings reflected divinity, Israel declared that every human being bore the image of Yahweh. This principle shaped the covenant people's moral and legal systems. The Law commanded care for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. It forbade the sacrifice of children. Justice was not a privilege for the strong. It was a duty toward the weak. The prophets reinforced this ethic repeatedly. Isaiah, Amos, Jeremiah, and Micah rebuked rulers not merely for idol worship, but for oppressing the poor, neglecting the sick, and perverting justice. Human life was sacred not because of economic output, but because it belonged to the Creator. The first segment is: Jesus and the Early Church Jesus expanded and embodied this ethic perfectly. He healed the sick, welcomed the outcast, and affirmed the dignity of the forgotten. He did not divide people by status or function. He saw them as lost sheep, image-bearers in need of restoration. This was not sentiment. It was theology in action. The early Church followed His example with startling results. In a Roman culture where the disabled were abandoned, the elderly discarded, and infants exposed to die, Christians responded with radical mercy. They rescued infants from trash heaps. They nursed the sick during plagues, often at the cost of their own lives. And most notably, they created something the world had never seen before: the hospital. The first true hospital was founded in the late fourth century by St. Basil the Great in Caesarea, Cappadocia. The Basilias was a large complex that included housing for the poor, medical treatment for the sick, and care for lepers. It was not a tool of state power or military strategy, but a direct expression of Christian love for those society rejected. Basil believed that if Christ healed the broken, then His followers must do the same. Other Christians followed his lead. St. Fabiola in Rome founded one of the first hospitals in the West. Monasteries across Europe established infirmaries, not only for monks, but for pilgrims, travelers, beggars, and the dying. The very word hospital comes from hospitalis, Latin for “guest,” reflecting the belief that in caring for the sick, Christians were receiving Christ Himself. This was revolutionary. The Greco-Roman world had temples for the healthy and private physicians for the elite, but no institutions devoted to caring for the poor and dying until Christians built them. Their actions were not driven by utility. They were driven by conviction: life matters because it is made by God, seen by Christ, and destined for eternity. That is the root. That is the legacy. And when modern systems again begin to measure lives by what they cost instead of what they are, Christians must not be silent. They must remember who they are. The second segment is: Hospice Is Not the Enemy It is important to be clear: this is not an argument against hospice or genuine palliative care. Hospice reflects the biblical ethic of compassion. It affirms that life has value even in suffering, and that dignity is preserved not by hastening death, but by honoring a person's final days with comfort and presence. The danger arises when that sacred view of life is replaced by a cold calculation. Instead of seeing the end of life as a transition, society begins to treat it as a solution to systemic and financial problems. When the vulnerable are seen as obstacles, death becomes a policy tool, and compassion is used to justify elimination. The third segment is: A Troubling Shift in Canada Nowhere is this more visible than in Canada. What began as Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) for those suffering from unbearable physical pain has quickly expanded into something far broader. In 2016, just over 1,000 Canadians ended their lives through MAiD. By 2022, that number had surged to over 13,000. It is now reportedly the sixth leading cause of death in the country. Even more troubling is who is now eligible. Increasingly, MAiD is offered not to those with terminal illness, but to those who are poor, mentally ill, or socially isolated. Some have requested euthanasia because they cannot afford housing or support services. Others have been told that medical treatment is not available, but MAiD is. Doctors have reported being pressured to bring up euthanasia as an option, even in cases where it would never have been considered before. And some policy experts have openly acknowledged that the healthcare system is overloaded and needs a centralized solution. Quietly, and without ever officially declaring it, death is being presented as that solution. The fourth segment is: Death as an Economic Decision One of the most disturbing elements of Canada's MAiD system is how these deaths are recorded. In several provinces, including British Columbia and Ontario, official guidance instructs physicians to list the person's underlying illness or condition as the cause of death, even when the immediate act involved a medically administered lethal substance. This is not a clerical oversight. In British Columbia, the College of Physicians and Surgeons directs providers to list MAiD in Part I(a) of the Medical Certificate of Death, but the manner of death is still to be recorded as “natural.” The underlying illness remains the official cause. In Ontario, physicians providing MAiD are required to notify the Office of the Chief Coroner, and the death certificate process generally follows similar lines, emphasizing the condition rather than the procedure. At the federal level, Health Canada's monitoring and reporting system collects MAiD data separately, but the death certificates provided to families and registered in provincial statistics are shaped by these regional protocols. In public datasets and vital statistics, a MAiD death may appear indistinguishable from a natural death. The effect is not only statistical. It reframes euthanasia as a quiet extension of medical care, rather than a deliberate, policy-driven act of ending life. This framing can soften moral and public resistance, making it easier to expand eligibility without backlash. The fifth segment is: When Consent Looks Like Coercion While MAiD is legally defined as voluntary, the real-world conditions under which many of these decisions are made raise serious ethical concerns. Patients have increasingly reported seeking MAiD due to poverty, homelessness, mental illness, or chronic but non-terminal suffering. When essential care is delayed or denied, and when death is positioned as the one guaranteed option, consent begins to look less like a choice and more like surrender. In 2022, a Canadian Forces veteran suffering from PTSD and a traumatic brain injury approached Veterans Affairs for help. Instead of receiving mental health support, he was offered MAiD. A woman named Denise, suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities, chose MAiD because she could not find safe housing. She was not terminally ill, but her pleas for accommodation went unanswered. A man with a degenerative brain condition applied for MAiD after struggling to get the in-home care he needed. His doctor admitted that with proper support, he would not have sought death. A 51-year-old woman with long COVID applied due to unrelenting pain and fatigue. She said she would have preferred to live, but her condition had become intolerable without treatment options. Roger Foley, a man with a neurological condition, recorded hospital staff suggesting assisted death would cost less than long-term care. A woman with scoliosis and fibromyalgia applied after she could no longer afford her medications. Poverty, not disease, drove her request. A homeless man in Ontario with schizophrenia requested MAiD, saying he could not bear another...

Have you ever felt like your background, your past, or your social status might limit your access to God's presence or favor? In this episode, we dive into Acts 10 to explore how Peter's encounter with Cornelius reveals God's radical lack of partiality and what that means for your identity in Christ today. Our original discussion on the book of Acts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTXTb-ULMZrO-r2psoaDN7Zx7FQkZ_98  Best Bible Translation: https://youtu.be/EcqNQE0MC7c How to pick a good Study Bible: https://youtu.be/_QNrjbiAYfM  More Bible discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRTXTb-ULMZoT6IBeyHQ6zNL01gVX38sR    Questions or Prayer Requests? Email us at Mediahub@Thpshreveport.com  Learn more about The Healing Place at www.thpshreveport.com Check out the THP Youtube Channel:  ⁨@THPMediaProductions⁩   Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Why Acts 10 Matters Today   01:56 – Analyzing the Players: Who was Cornelius?   03:16 – The History of the "Cornelius" Name and Roman Liberation   04:37 – Seeking the One True God: The Character of a Devout Man   05:19 – Why the Details Matter: Simon the Tanner and Biblical Accuracy   07:14 – Peter's Vision and the Arrival at Caesarea   07:55 – "I Too Am a Man": Peter's Rejection of Worship   09:34 – Breaking Jewish Law: The Significance of the Gentile Visit   11:18 – Neither Common Nor Unclean: A Liberating Revelation   12:47 – God Shows No Partiality: The Core Message of Acts 10   15:30 – The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles   17:42 – Final Takeaways: Looking at Others Through the Lens of Grace   21:02 – Practical Application: Stepping Out of Your Social Norms   23:16 – Closing and Invitation to The Healing Place    

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we've got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge.  So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below.  Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Cash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsPrimary sourcesIrenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies — especially Books 1 and 3, for Valentinus in Rome, Valentinian cosmology, and the four-gospel argument. (New Advent)Clement of Alexandria, Stromata — especially 7.17, for the report that Valentinus was a hearer of Theudas and Theudas a pupil of Paul. (New Advent)Tertullian, Against the Valentinians — for the hostile tradition about Valentinus, the branching of the school, “two schools / two chairs,” and Axionicus at Antioch. (New Advent)Hippolytus of Rome, Refutation of All Heresies — for Valentinus traditions, including the visionary material and the poem usually called “Summer Harvest.” (New Advent)Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History — for Irenaeus' letters to Blastus and Florinus, and the notice about On the Ogdoad. (New Advent)Origen, Commentary on John — the major witness preserving Heracleon's interpretations through quotation and paraphrase. (DIVA Portal)The Gospel of Truth (Nag Hammadi Codex I) — for the inner Valentinian preaching voice and the line “The gospel of truth is joy.” (Gnosis)The Treatise on the Resurrection / Letter to Rheginos (Nag Hammadi Codex I) — for realized resurrection theology and the line that the world is illusion rather than the resurrection. (Gnosis)The Tripartite Tractate (Nag Hammadi Codex I) — for the great Valentinian theological blueprint and the threefold anthropology of spiritual, psychic, and material humanity. (Early Christian Writings)The Gospel of Philip — for bridal-chamber language, sacramental symbolism, and later Valentinian ritual interpretation. (Gnosis)Valentinian Liturgical Readings / A Valentinian Exposition (Nag Hammadi Codex XI) — for anointing, baptism, and eucharistic ritual language in Valentinian circles. (Gnosis)Modern scholarshipEinar Thomassen, The Spiritual Seed: The Church of the “Valentinians” — the major modern study of Valentinianism as a real Christian movement with institutional and historical development. (Gnosis Study)Ismo Dunderberg, Beyond Gnosticism: Myth, Lifestyle, and Society in the School of Valentinus — for the social world, ethics, and lifestyle dimensions of Valentinian Christianity. (Columbia University Press)Philip L. Tite, Valentinian Ethics and Paraenetic Discourse: Determining the Social Function of Moral Exhortation in Valentinian Christianity — for exhortation, identity formation, and ethics in Valentinian communities. (Gnosis Study)Paul Linjamaa, The Ethics of The Tripartite Tractate (NHC I, 5): A Study of Determinism and Early Christian Philosophy of Ethics — for determinism, responsibility, and ethics in the Tripartite Tractate. (OAPEN)Carl Johan Berglund, Origen's References to Heracleon: A Quotation-Analytical Study — for the reconstruction of Heracleon through Origen and the count of verbatim quotations and summaries. (Google Books)Geoffrey S. Smith, Valentinian Christianity: Texts and Translations — for a balanced modern collection of extant Valentinian writings and the broader psalm-book / fragment tradition. (Amazon)Gregory Snyder, “A Second-Century Christian Inscription from the Via Latina” — for NCE 156, the Via Latina context, and the Roman funerary evidence. (Academia)Gregory Snyder, “The Discovery and Interpretation of the Flavia Sophe Inscription: New Results” — for Flavia Sophe, second-century dating arguments, and nuptial funerary imagery. (ResearchGate)Gregory Snyder, “Bed, Bath, and Burial: NCE 156 Revisited” — for the funerary reading of NCE 156 and the bridal-chamber / mortuary interpretation. (Academia)Gražina Kelmelytė, “The Concept of Bridal Chamber in the Valentinian Inscriptions” — for the bridal chamber as a polysemous symbol in Flavia Sophe and NCE 156. (ResearchGate)M. David Litwa, “Deification and Defecation: Valentinus Fragment 3 and the Physiology of Jesus's Digestion” — for the ancient physiological background of Valentinus' saying about Christ's incorrupt digestion. (ResearchGate)M. David Litwa, “A Newly Identified Letter of Valentinus on Jesus's Digestive System” — for the argument that the digestion fragment may belong to a wider Valentinian epistolary context. (Academia)Studies on the Nag Hammadi codices and their readers — for codicology, scribal overlap, provenance, and the late-antique material context of Codex I and related manuscripts. (Gnosis)Modern reception and afterlivesEcclesia Gnostica — for modern sacramental Gnostic Christian practice and public continuation of Gnostic liturgy. (Gnosis)Aleister Crowley, Liber XV: Ecclesiae Gnosticae Catholicae Canon Missae — for Valentinus in the saint-roll of the Gnostic Mass. (University of California Press)C. G. Jung, Seven Sermons to the Dead — for the modern psychological afterlife of terms like pleroma. (Gnosis)Modern philosophical readings of The Matrix using Valentinian questions and structure — for the contemporary survival of the awakening / false-world / return pattern. (Academia)Also want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. Now let me introduce the rest of the panel and guests.

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.— Matthew 10:5-6Scottish Declaration of Arbroath 1320:“Most Holy Father and Lord, we know and from the chronicles and books of the ancients we find that among other famous nations our own, the Scots, has been graced with widespread renown. They journeyed from Greater Scythia (Just North of Assyria as well as the Black and Caspian Sea) by way of the Tyrrhenian Sea (the Northwestern portion of the Mediterranean) and the Pillars of Hercules (the passage connecting the Mediterranean to the Atlantic), and dwelt for a long course of time in Spain among the most savage tribes, but nowhere could they be subdued by any race, however barbarous.Thence they came, twelve hundred years after the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea, to their home in the west where they still live today. The Britons they first drove out, the Picts they utterly destroyed, and, even though very often assailed by the Norwegians, the Danes and the English, they took possession of that home with many victories and untold efforts; and, as the historians of old time bear witness, they have held it free of all bondage ever since. In their kingdom there have reigned one hundred and thirteen kings of their own royal stock, the line unbroken a single foreigner. The high qualities and deserts of these people, were they not otherwise manifest, gain glory enough from this: that the King of kings and Lord of lords, our Lord Jesus Christ, after His Passion and Resurrection, called them, even though settled in the uttermost parts of the earth, almost the first to His most holy faith. Nor would He have them confirmed in that faith by merely anyone but by the first of His Apostles— by calling, though second or third in rank— the most gentle Saint Andrew, the Blessed Peter's brother, and desired him to keep them under his protection as their patron forever.”Src: https://avalon.law.yale.edu/medieval/arbroath_1320.aspTertullian's Record:Tertullian (c. 155-c. 220 AD), the early Christian writer from Carthage, made this statement in his work Adversus Judaeos (Against the Jews), specifically in chapter 7 (section 4 or 8 in some numberings). roger-pearse.comThe relevant Latin phrase is: "et Britannorum inaccessa Romanis loca Christo vero subdita" (and the places of the Britons inaccessible to the Romans but truly subjected to Christ).Common English translations render it as:* "the haunts of the Britons—inaccessible to the Romans, but subjugated to Christ"Roman Occupation of British Isles:Camulodunum (or modern day Colchester) was the home of the first permanent Roman fortress to be built in Britain in AD 43.Other Records:Eusebius, Historian and Bishop of Caesarea (c. 260–340 AD), in his Demonstratio Evangelica (Book 3, Chapter 5), speaking of the Apostles and earliest disciples of the first century states “…some have crossed the Ocean and reached the Isles of Britain, all this I for my part will not admit to be the work of mere men, far less of poor and ignorant men, certainly not of deceivers and wizards.” Gildas (6th-century British monk), in De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae (On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain), claims Christianity reached Britain “in the last years of the emperor Tiberius” (i.e., before 37 AD).“Steppe-Pulse” (Haplogroup R) in Levant:* Lazaridis et al. (2016) showed that Steppe ancestry (R1b/R1a) moved into the Levant from the north.* Haber et al. (2017) - Steppe Pulse (R1a / R1b) between 1800 BC and 200 BC.* Haber et al. (2020) - Revealed a population level impact in 1000 BC (Davidic Kingdom) as well as circa 300 BC (about 150 years before the Maccabean revolt). * Rootsi et al. (2013) and Behar (2017) have definitively placed the origin of the Ashkenazi Levite R1a-M582 subclade in the Near East.

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we've got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge.  So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below.  Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Cash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsPrimary sourcesIrenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies — especially Books 1 and 3, for Valentinus in Rome, Valentinian cosmology, and the four-gospel argument. (New Advent)Clement of Alexandria, Stromata — especially 7.17, for the report that Valentinus was a hearer of Theudas and Theudas a pupil of Paul. (New Advent)Tertullian, Against the Valentinians — for the hostile tradition about Valentinus, the branching of the school, “two schools / two chairs,” and Axionicus at Antioch. (New Advent)Hippolytus of Rome, Refutation of All Heresies — for Valentinus traditions, including the visionary material and the poem usually called “Summer Harvest.” (New Advent)Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History — for Irenaeus' letters to Blastus and Florinus, and the notice about On the Ogdoad. (New Advent)Origen, Commentary on John — the major witness preserving Heracleon's interpretations through quotation and paraphrase. (DIVA Portal)The Gospel of Truth (Nag Hammadi Codex I) — for the inner Valentinian preaching voice and the line “The gospel of truth is joy.” (Gnosis)The Treatise on the Resurrection / Letter to Rheginos (Nag Hammadi Codex I) — for realized resurrection theology and the line that the world is illusion rather than the resurrection. (Gnosis)The Tripartite Tractate (Nag Hammadi Codex I) — for the great Valentinian theological blueprint and the threefold anthropology of spiritual, psychic, and material humanity. (Early Christian Writings)The Gospel of Philip — for bridal-chamber language, sacramental symbolism, and later Valentinian ritual interpretation. (Gnosis)Valentinian Liturgical Readings / A Valentinian Exposition (Nag Hammadi Codex XI) — for anointing, baptism, and eucharistic ritual language in Valentinian circles. (Gnosis)Modern scholarshipEinar Thomassen, The Spiritual Seed: The Church of the “Valentinians” — the major modern study of Valentinianism as a real Christian movement with institutional and historical development. (Gnosis Study)Ismo Dunderberg, Beyond Gnosticism: Myth, Lifestyle, and Society in the School of Valentinus — for the social world, ethics, and lifestyle dimensions of Valentinian Christianity. (Columbia University Press)Philip L. Tite, Valentinian Ethics and Paraenetic Discourse: Determining the Social Function of Moral Exhortation in Valentinian Christianity — for exhortation, identity formation, and ethics in Valentinian communities. (Gnosis Study)Paul Linjamaa, The Ethics of The Tripartite Tractate (NHC I, 5): A Study of Determinism and Early Christian Philosophy of Ethics — for determinism, responsibility, and ethics in the Tripartite Tractate. (OAPEN)Carl Johan Berglund, Origen's References to Heracleon: A Quotation-Analytical Study — for the reconstruction of Heracleon through Origen and the count of verbatim quotations and summaries. (Google Books)Geoffrey S. Smith, Valentinian Christianity: Texts and Translations — for a balanced modern collection of extant Valentinian writings and the broader psalm-book / fragment tradition. (Amazon)Gregory Snyder, “A Second-Century Christian Inscription from the Via Latina” — for NCE 156, the Via Latina context, and the Roman funerary evidence. (Academia)Gregory Snyder, “The Discovery and Interpretation of the Flavia Sophe Inscription: New Results” — for Flavia Sophe, second-century dating arguments, and nuptial funerary imagery. (ResearchGate)Gregory Snyder, “Bed, Bath, and Burial: NCE 156 Revisited” — for the funerary reading of NCE 156 and the bridal-chamber / mortuary interpretation. (Academia)Gražina Kelmelytė, “The Concept of Bridal Chamber in the Valentinian Inscriptions” — for the bridal chamber as a polysemous symbol in Flavia Sophe and NCE 156. (ResearchGate)M. David Litwa, “Deification and Defecation: Valentinus Fragment 3 and the Physiology of Jesus's Digestion” — for the ancient physiological background of Valentinus' saying about Christ's incorrupt digestion. (ResearchGate)M. David Litwa, “A Newly Identified Letter of Valentinus on Jesus's Digestive System” — for the argument that the digestion fragment may belong to a wider Valentinian epistolary context. (Academia)Studies on the Nag Hammadi codices and their readers — for codicology, scribal overlap, provenance, and the late-antique material context of Codex I and related manuscripts. (Gnosis)Modern reception and afterlivesEcclesia Gnostica — for modern sacramental Gnostic Christian practice and public continuation of Gnostic liturgy. (Gnosis)Aleister Crowley, Liber XV: Ecclesiae Gnosticae Catholicae Canon Missae — for Valentinus in the saint-roll of the Gnostic Mass. (University of California Press)C. G. Jung, Seven Sermons to the Dead — for the modern psychological afterlife of terms like pleroma. (Gnosis)Modern philosophical readings of The Matrix using Valentinian questions and structure — for the contemporary survival of the awakening / false-world / return pattern. (Academia)Also want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. Now let me introduce the rest of the panel and guests.

Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Nine and Verse Thirty

This holy martyr was a married man, living in Cappadocia. During the reign of Julian the Apostate he, along with some other Christians, destroyed the pagan temple to the goddess Fortuna. (The Prologue says that it was his wedding day). For this he and his companions were cruelly tortured, then beheaded.   At that time St Basil the Great governed the Church in that part of Cappadocia. When the apostate Emperor, going to fight the Persians, came to the town in which Eupsychius was martyred, St Basil went to meet him, bringing three barley loaves as a sign of honor and welcome. The Emperor, ever hostile to Christians, ordered that the bishop be given a fistful of hay in return. Saint Basil said to the Emperor 'You ridicule us now, O King; we bring you bread, by which we are fed, and you give us miserable food that you, with all your power, are unable to turn into nourishment for men.' The Emperor perished in the Persian campaign.

Acts 10:19-4419And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23So he invited them in to be his guests.The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”30And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.' 33So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”34So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”44While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we've got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge.  So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below.  Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Cash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsPrimary sourcesJustin Martyr. Dialogue with Trypho, ch. 35. Best for the earliest surviving mention of the Saturnilians as a named rival Christian group.Irenaeus of Lyons. Against Heresies 1.24. Main doctrinal source for Saturninus: the unknown Father, seven angels, spark of life, docetic Christology, the God of the Jews as one of the angels, anti-marriage teaching, and abstinence from animal food.Irenaeus of Lyons. Against Heresies 1.28. Useful for the later Encratite connection and the afterlife of Saturninian-style asceticism.Hippolytus of Rome. Refutation of All Heresies 7.16. Important corroborating witness for the Saturnilian system.Eusebius of Caesarea. Ecclesiastical History 4.7. Best for the later church-historical placement of Saturninus in a lineage of error.Josephus. Against Apion 2.39. Useful for the civic standing of Jews in Antioch.Josephus. Antiquities of the Jews 12.119–124. Useful for Antiochene Jewish privileges under Seleucid and Roman rule.Modern and background sourcesEncyclopaedia Britannica. “Antioch.” Good concise background for Antioch as a major Seleucid and Roman city and early Christian center.Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Irenaeus.” Good background on Irenaeus' life, dates, and role in anti-heretical theology.Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Saint Justin Martyr.” Good background on Justin's life and philosophical/apologetic role.Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Eusebius of Caesarea.” Good background on Eusebius as historian and bishop.Michael A. Williams. “Gnosticism.” In The Cambridge Companion to Christian Heresy, edited by Richard Flower. Cambridge University Press, 2025. Best for the modern scholarly caution about using the label “Gnosticism.”Richard Flower, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Christian Heresy. Cambridge University Press, 2025. Useful for the broader scholarly framing of heresy as discourse, classification, and boundary-making.On Saturday, April 25th, 2026, the 2026 Southeastern Masonic Symposium is happening in person at the Asheville Masonic Temple (80 Broadway St., Asheville, NC)I'll be there in person, so, come down and meet me and the rest of the crew.John Michael Greer — prolific occult and esoteric historian with 70+ books, including Circles of Power and the award-winning New Encyclopedia of the Occult; an initiate across Hermetic, Masonic, and Druidic lineages, and former Grand Archdruid (AODA).Collin Conkwright (American Esoteric) — creator behind American Esoteric, focused on ancient philosophy & comparative religion and serious work around universalism and the Western tradition; also publicly listed as a Master Mason and writer.Ike Baker — independent scholar & esoteric instructor, a practicing ceremonialist and initiatic Mason (Blue Lodge + York Rite), also connected with Martinism and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn; host of the ARCANVM podcast; author of A Formless Fire and Aetheric Magic.Thom Carter — a Brother out of Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118 (Asheville, NC) and part of the presenting lineup for the symposium.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-asheville-masonic-symposium-tickets-1980822909645?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

In the final message in our “Mapping Israel: Building Muscle & Momentum” series, “Caesarea Maritime” calls us to live as a resurrected people who carry the life and power of Jesus into the world “as you go.” Drawing from the history of Caesarea Maritime and the examples of Philip, Peter, and Paul, it shows that God forms us through intentional seasons of preparation so we can rise, go, and minister with conviction in places that often resist the gospel. At its core, the sermon reminds us that we are not meant to admire the resurrection from afar but to participate in it daily—moving beyond comfort, obeying the Spirit, and witnessing boldly in every circumstance. As we go, God works with us, confirming His message through transformed lives and the power of the Holy Spirit.

"And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts 10:24-48

He expected Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea to be unforgettable. He knew Capernaum, Caesarea, and Jerusalem would leave him in awe. But what he didn't expect? That this would be the trip he not only wanted but deeply needed. That walking the Land would feel like reading a “fifth Gospel.” And that the friendships and sense of community—*not in the brochure—would become one of the most meaningful parts of the journey. In this episode, Matt Olson of Laurel, Mississippi shares his experience from the Pastors' Trip to Jordan & Israel with Rich Ferreira (Jan. 11–23, 2026), reflecting on how this trip was far more than a tour—it was a transformative encounter with Scripture, impactful places, and most importantly, the Person of Christ. Read their trip blog: https://gtitours.org/tour-journal/israelfam26 Dancing on the Galilee boat ride: https://vimeo.com/1155614132?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci More about the pastors' discounted tour: https://gtitours.org/discipleshipincontext Video podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcitijwd7YQpy-2gjQn9DrMXJWRpGEEq&si=FP5SWjoy5rzAOFc_  

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“It should be a contest among Christians to neither give offense nor take offense. The best men are harder on themselves than they are to others.”~Richard Sibbes (1577-1635), Puritan theologian in The Bruised Reed (text modernized) Question 33: What is justification? Answer: Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed [credited] to us, and received by faith alone.~Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647) “We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works…”~The 39 Articles (1571), originally drafted by Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) “This is perfect and pure boasting in God, when one is not proud on account of his own righteousness but knows that he is indeed unworthy of the true righteousness and is justified solely by faith in Christ.”~Basil of Caesarea (330-379), bishop in Cappadocia in Homilies on Humility “[Paul] shows clearly that righteousness depends not on the merit of man, but on the grace of God, who accepts the faith of those who believe, without the works or the Law.”~Jerome (c.342-420), church leader and theologian “[God] has justified our race not by right actions, not by toils, not by barter and exchange, but by grace alone…. But the justice of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ and not through any labor and suffering.”~John Chrysostom (c.347-407), prolific author and preacher “My name is Patrick. I am a sinner, a simple country person, and the least of all believers. …I was taken prisoner. I was about sixteen at the time. At that time, I did not know the true God. I was taken into captivity to Ireland, along with thousands of others. We deserved this, because we had gone away from God, and did not keep his commandments. We would not listen to our elders [i.e., presbyters], who advised us about how we could be saved. The Lord brought his strong anger upon us, and scattered us among many nations even to the ends of the earth. It was among foreigners that it was seen how little I was. It was there that the Lord opened up my awareness of my lack of faith. Even though it came about late, I recognized my failings. So I turned with all my heart to the Lord my God, and he looked down on my lowliness and had mercy on my youthful ignorance.”~Saint Patrick, 5th century Roman-British missionary to Ireland in his “Confession”SERMON PASSAGE Romans 3:21-31 (ESV)Romans 3 (ESV) 9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.”  “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. Romans 1 (ESV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Exodus 34 (ESV) 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Romans 3:21, 25-26 (First Nations Version: An Indigenous Bible Translation of the New Testament)21 But there is a way to be in good standing with the Great Spirit that does not depend on us keeping tribal law!… 25 The Great Spirit sent Creator Sets Free (Jesus) to show through him the full meaning and purpose of the ancient mercy-seat ceremony, where our broken ways are washed clean when we trust in what the shedding of his lifeblood has accomplished. The Great Spirit did this to prove that he was in the right when he released people from their bad hearts and broken ways in the ages past. 26 He also did this to show people in this present age that he has the right to put people in good standing with himself because they trust in what Creator Sets Free (Jesus) has done.

Full Text of Readings Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Lectionary: 246 The Saint of the day is Saint Cyril of Jerusalem Saint Cyril of Jerusalem's Story The crises that the Church faces today may seem minor when compared with the threat posed by the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ and almost overcame Christianity in the fourth century. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem was to be caught up in the controversy, accused of Arianism by Saint Jerome, and ultimately vindicated both by the men of his own time and by being declared a Doctor of the Church in 1822. Raised in Jerusalem and well-educated, especially in the Scriptures, he was ordained a priest by the bishop of Jerusalem and given the task during Lent of catechizing those preparing for Baptism and catechizing the newly baptized during the Easter season. His Catecheses remain valuable as examples of the ritual and theology of the Church in the mid-fourth century. There are conflicting reports about the circumstances of his becoming bishop of Jerusalem. It is certain that he was validly consecrated by bishops of the province. Since one of them was an Arian, Acacius, it may have been expected that his “cooperation” would follow. Conflict soon rose between Saint Cyril of Jerusalem and Acacius, bishop of the rival nearby see of Caesarea. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem was summoned to a council, accused of insubordination and of selling Church property to relieve the poor. Probably, however, a theological difference was also involved. He was condemned, driven from Jerusalem, and later vindicated, not without some association with and help from Semi-Arians. Half his episcopate was spent in exile; his first experience was repeated twice. He finally returned to find Jerusalem torn with heresy, schism and strife, and wracked with crime. Even Saint Gregory of Nyssa, who was sent to help, left in despair. They both went to the Council of Constantinople, where the amended form of the Nicene Creed was promulgated in 381. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem accepted the word consubstantial—that is, Christ is of the same substance or nature as the Father. Some said it was an act of repentance, but the bishops of the Council praised him as a champion of orthodoxy against the Arians. Though not friendly with the greatest defender of orthodoxy against the Arians, Saint Cyril of Jerusalem may be counted among those whom Athanasius called “brothers, who mean what we mean, and differ only about the word consubstantial.” Reflection Those who imagine that the lives of saints are simple and placid, untouched by the vulgar breath of controversy, are rudely shocked by history. Yet, it should be no surprise that saints, indeed all Christians, will experience the same difficulties as their Master. The definition of truth is an endless, complex pursuit, and good men and women have suffered the pain of both controversy and error. Intellectual, emotional, and political roadblocks may slow up people like Cyril for a time. But their lives taken as a whole are monuments to honesty and courage.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Send a textIn this episode, we share a striking story from Catholic tradition connected to St. Basil the Great, bishop of Caesarea and one of the great Doctors of the Church.A servant desperate to marry his master's daughter turns to an enchanter and writes a pact renouncing Christ and his baptism. But when the truth comes to light, the man seeks help from St. Basil, believing the written contract still binds him.What follows is a powerful account of spiritual warfare, repentance, and the authority Christ gave to His Church. Through prayer and perseverance, St. Basil confronts the demonic claim — and before a gathered crowd, the contract itself appears.This story reminds us of the seriousness of turning away from God, but also of the hope found in repentance and the mercy of Christ.Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com