Another New Session at Seminary

Exciting times are happening at the Good News Seminary.  We are delving deeper and deeper into the historical aspects of the New Testament. 

Once again, I am teaching the Book of Acts to our students here in Moscow.  This course, to me in particular, is one of the most exciting of all.  I preface the course with in-depth historical and cultural information which frame the book and make it more understandable to the students. 

Too often we cannot relate to what is written in the Bible when we view it through a western or modern day mentality.  Only if we know the culture of the first century in the Levant or Asia minor can we understand the particular challenges facing early Christians. 

What was the Roman government's initial attitude toward the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem and what happened later when they were no longer considered a sect of Judaism?  How did the variety of local authorities show good will toward Paul and other Christian missionaries, admitting there was no basis for the accusations brought against them by both Gentile and Jewish opponents?   How did Nero treat the Christians in June of A.D. 64 when Rome burned and why?  These questions have direct application to the Book of Acts since Luke wrote it between A.D. 62 - 64. 

Once we know the culture of the day and the obstacles facing the church we are encouraged.  They faced horrendous opposition from the pagan world of the day, yet triumphed through it all.  The power of God was poured out in Acts 2 just as Jesus had promised and that power is still available to the church today.  We've simply not realized our need because perhaps we've lived too soft a life with all the conveniences of the modern world.  However, it still takes the reality of heaven in our lives to effectively be a "witness" as Acts 1:8 teaches us.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for tonight's class!