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Twenty lessons from the New Testament's book of Acts. Contents Chapter 1 Putting first things first Acts 1:1-26 Chapter 2 Taking all the help you can get Acts 2:1-21 Chapter 3 Meetings and more meetings Acts 2:42-47 Chapter 4 Preaching relevant sermons Acts 2:14-41 Chapter 5 Showing Christ’s power Acts 3:1- 26; 4:1-4 Chapter 6 Overcoming opposition Acts 4:1- 31; 5:1- 11; 6:1-7 Chapter 7 Pooling resources Acts 4:32- 37; 11:27-30 Chapter 8 Allowing God to purify Acts 5:1-11 Chapter 9 Changing church structure Acts 6:1-7 Chapter 10 Knowing what is of God Acts 8:9- 25; 16:6-10 Chapter 11 Speaking personally for Christ Acts 8:26-40 Chapter 12 Meeting people Christ has changed Acts 9:10-28; 22:12-16 Chapter 13 Accepting God’s work for you to do Acts 10 Chapter 14 Seeing beyond your own work Acts 11:19- 29, 13:1-3 Chapter 15 Sorting out tradition Acts 15:1-35 Chapter 16 Working as a team Acts 13:1- 3, 18:1- 4, 18 Chapter 17 Encouraging others into the ministry Acts 15:36- 40; 16:1-5 Chapter 18 Planting new churches (congregations) Acts 14:21- 28, 16:11-40 Chapter 19 Preserving spiritual fruit Acts 20:17-31 Chapter 20 Remaining faithful to the end Acts 28:11-31

Acts 1vs1-26. Church Growing Pains. Too many Christians try to do something before they really know what they should be doing! Take writing this book as an example. Over a year ago I felt that I wanted to write another book. Thirteen chapters were written down, and typed out by my secretary. A rough outline and two specimen chapters were sent to the editor for his views. After a month his reply came back: "I don't think you are sure to whom you are actually writing." I was not very excited about that! Deep down I knew he was right. I had had the general idea of a subject, but I had not taken the time or trouble to pray and carefully plan the specific goal and way of accomplishing it. Like so often in my life, I had acted before I really knew what to do. Dare I suggest that a great deal of Christian activity is carried out on the basis of 'ideas' rather than 'inspiration'? Somebody in a church draws attention to the need of teenagers in the local town. "We must do something to reach these youngsters with the gospel". One or two well-intentioned folk agree and decide to open the church hall every Friday for games such as snooker, table tennis and darts. A 'Jesus-spot' is put in for good measure. The first Friday the six church teenagers are joined by six others who are 'fished' in off the streets by a leader who saw them drinking cans of something or other seated on a low wall in the town centre. The evening passes off well except for one incident of cigarette ash burning the green baize and a near-fight over who was playing who at table tennis. Apparently one of the new lads did not have enough patience to wait for young Martin to have a turn - although everyone in the church would have known that allowances have to be made for Martin. After all, he is Martin - a bit slower than all the others. It must have been good, on the whole, because the following week twenty-one teenagers come. The language is bad and the leaders hope the deaconess upstairs arranging the flowers for Sunday won't be offended. Two of the church teenagers have not come, a third says it's because of the rough crowd. During the 'Jesus-spot' a sudden plague of bladder infections seems to erupt and 50 per cent have to visit the toilet. The leaders think they are encouraged, but they are not sure. After a month they really wonder if they have done the right thing. The ladies prayer meeting is rejoicing in the 50 teenagers who come every Friday, but none of them has ever actually seen what goes on at the meeting. A dubious video was smuggled into the quiet room. It certainly kept the courting couples quiet for an hour, but it did not teach them anything about Christian courtship. Only one of the church teenagers comes now. Unfortunately he has started smoking just recently. The man coming to talk to the group did not show up for some reason. Perhaps it was just as well because the group resent the 'Jesus-spot' which they say interrupts their games anyway. The well-meaning team who have found themselves caught up in these events now begin to realise, too late, that to do something before you really know what to do is an invitation to disaster. The early Christians had a general idea as to their collective purpose. Jesus had said to them: "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 24vs46-49. They had to be witnesses for Jesus. But how? When? Where? They did not know. We will do well to learn from what these men and women did. If we want to be used by God as a fellowship of Christians, we must follow these basic priorities: 1. Obedience to Jesus' commands. One word jumps out of Jesus' command in Luke 24vs49 "stay". What a thing to say to people about to embark on a mission which will revolutionise the world. The Greek literally means 'to sit down'. The way to begin to go into all the world and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ is to sit at the feet of Jesus. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command; "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." Acts 1vs4. Peter, John, James, Andrew and the others were to "wait", or to await a particular event, detailed in our next chapter. Their priority now was obedience. To move ahead with other work would be wrong when the Master had said 'sit down and wait for me to move first'. We are often too activity orientated. We confuse waiting with doing nothing. Those Christians in Jerusalem obediently did what Jesus told them to. "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city." Acts 1vs12. 2. Prayer together. It appears that a group of 120 believers were present in the upstairs room in Jerusalem where the embryonic church was meeting. The eleven remaining disciples are named (Judas had committed suicide after betraying the Lord Jesus) and so is Mary, Jesus' mother. Verse 14 begins by telling us their main activity: "They all joined together constantly in prayer..." To pray is to 'prosecute'. The original New Testament word used here for 'prayer' has the same root as the English 'to prosecute'. The latter is defined as 'to carry out some pursuit or plan'. So we have arrived at the heart of this first lesson. Pray before you begin the work. See prayer as the first stage of your work. These disciples were engaged in their commission of reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they prayed together in that room in Jerusalem. There are three very important factors in this prayer meeting. God was able to do all we read of in Acts, through these people, because these factors were evident in their prayer meeting. (i) Involvement. Everybody who wanted to be involved in God's work was there. This included the apostles who had been called by Jesus to leave their jobs and learn his will for their lives. It included the women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others who had been first to discover that the crucified Christ was alive. Jesus' mother and brothers were also at the prayer meeting. His family, friends and followers were all there because they wanted to be involved in whatever was going to happen next. They did not really know what that might be, but they had decided to be involved in any case. They wanted to be where God was working and so they were at the prayer meeting. If we let our minds run back over the gospel narrative we can also remember some who were not at this meeting. There had been some early followers who had turned back from following Jesus because the cost, either financially or to their family, or even to their own ambitions, was too great. There was also a large number of religious people who had chosen not to follow Jesus at all. Neither group was involved in this prayer meeting, but the ones who were there were the ones who counted. (ii) Unity. The recent past was over and gone. The women did not say to the apostles, "we told you Jesus is alive and you didn't believe us!" Nobody accused Peter, "it was only a few days ago and you denied you ever knew Jesus in front of a crowd of witnesses". The assembled folk knew these things were true, but they decided that it did not matter now. The past was not as important as the present and the future. The Authorised Version says, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication ..." Acts 1vs14. The men and women were of the same mind. Several times this phrase "one accord" is used about the early church at prayer and in service. It is translated "together" or "all agreed". "to meet together in the temple courts" Acts 2vs46 "raised their voices together in prayer to God" Acts 4vs24 "to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade" Acts 5vs12 "so we all agreed to choose some men"Acts 15vs25 Dynamic service is primed for action when a group of Christians, who are of the same mind, pray together to know God's will and to be involved in God's work. Ephesians 4 teaches that unity is both given to the church to be protected by her members, verse 3, and the goal of the church to be pursued by her members, verse 13. I have attended prayer meetings where the conversation afterwards has included criticism of those who have not been bothered to attend. Perhaps the prayer meeting is better off without people who do not see prayer as the priority in the Lord's work. But don't let those who do pray become guilty of breaking the given unity by becoming highly critical of those who don't. (iii) Persistence. It appears from the phrase at the beginning of verse 15 "In those days" that this prayer meeting was no one-evening-wonder! The Christians were "constantly in prayer" 1vs14 (NIV), they "continued in prayer" (AV), they "devoted themselves to prayer" (J.B. Philips and RSV). Luke intends us to learn that the early church was strong and persevering in its commitment to prayer. He uses the same phrase three times in the first two chapters of Acts. Perhaps it expresses the three strong priorities of the church as he saw them: prayer Acts 1vs14, the apostles' teaching 2vs42 and meetings in the temple with other believers 2vs46. (We'll see the value of meetings in chapter 3). When I was younger I remember watching Ron Clarke of Australia running lap after lap of long distance races. He was sometimes dubbed 'the machine' because of the consistent timings of each lap in a twelve or sixteen lap race. Some folk may prefer to watch a ten-second hundred metres sprint, but I admire any athlete who can persevere to achieve a long distance goal. Many Christians are better at the short sprint prayer times that the endurance marathons. Yet God calls us to be continually strong towards Him in prayer. He is consistent in His dealings with men. Moses had years in the Midian desert as a shepherd before God allowed him to lead the Israelites. Paul had a probable three and a half years in Arabia before God used Barnabas to bring him into active service at Antioch. Our Lord Jesus spent a specific forty days in the wilderness before he began to preach around Galilee. Don't fight against a time of prayerful preparation. When you know what you should be doing, then you can do it with all your God-given might. Discussion questions What is prayer? Describe it in your own words. Share ideas on making an individual's prayer time more vital. What can be done to help people enjoy a prayer meeting and recommend it to others? Make practical suggestions on: time venue content format

My Notes on Teaching the New Testament, by Mama Brenda What is the Bible? Law - God’s rules for living History - the history of the Jews Poetry - special descriptive writing Prophecy - people speaking what God has told them to say 39 different books in the Old Testament Gospels and Acts – the story of Jesus and the early church Letters from Paul, Peter and John - teaching Christians then, including us today Prophecy - picture language of what God will do at the end of time 27 different books in the New Testament When? – The Bible was written over a period of 1600 years but finally came together as we know it in the 4th century A.D. (300-400 A.D.) The Church Fathers in 100-300 A.D. gathered the sacred texts and evaluated them under the guidance of the Holy Spirit - which ones were seen to be used by God, authentic, helpful, used to encourage, and accepted by the Church over time? These became what is technically called ‘the canon of scripture’. Who? - God inspired the Bible while human authors wrote it down. Authors: Matthew Mark Luke John Paul Peter James Jude Moses (First five books of the Old Testament and at least one Psalm, 90) King David (Psalms) King Solomon (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon ) Joshua, Samuel Ezra (Ezra, Nehemiah and perhaps 1 and 2 Chronicles) Asaph and sons of Korah (Psalms) Agur and King Lemuel (end of Proverbs) 16 other named prophets some names forgotten over the centuries some who edited court papers into records of history (1 and 2 Kings?) Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; 1 Peter 1:1; Psalms 23 and 90. Do we know who wrote each of these? Read Psalm 92 and Hebrews 1:1, 13:22-25. Do we know who wrote each of these? We know who wrote some parts of the Bible, but not all of it. How? - There are three languages used in the Bible with occasional other words, for example see Daniel 5:25-28 Hebrew - the ancient Jewish language (used in Israel today) Greek - the most used language 100B.C.-200A.D. Aramaic - the language Jesus used most - see Mark 5:41 Where? - Countries involved in the Bible include some in Africa, Asia and Europe as well as the Middle East. Where did Bible people live? Who did they have contact with? You may need to use the maps on pages 3 and 4. Look up Genesis 11:31; Daniel 1:3-4; Acts 8:26-27; Acts 10:1-2; Acts 19:1; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:1. Why? – and this is most important - God purposed and preserved His word – a single book with a single Author – a single theme – God the Holy Spirit revealing God the Son and the saving purpose of God the Father. This truth is the greatest key of the Bible. He shows Himself to those who seek Him: “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him”, Hebrews 11:6. Studying the Bible It is easy to misunderstand the Bible and to make it say things it does not say. Read Psalms 14:1, 53:1. Yes, the Bible does say, “there is no God”, but in context our Bible reads that only fools say that! So here is a simple guide in three columns to help us get it right: 1. Observing the text What does it say? Look 2. Interpreting the text What did it mean? Understand 3. Applying the text What does it mean for today? Do When you read the Bible for yourself use the column of words above that makes most sense to you! 1. Observing – first read the passage then answer the question a). Genesis 3:6 Question - Who ate the fruit? Answer - Eve first but then Adam b). Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 Question - How many wise men were there? Answer - We don’t know, but there were three gifts c). 1 Timothy 6:10 Question - What is the root of all evil? Answer - Not money, but the love of money! 2. Interpreting - read the passage, seeking to explain any difficult meanings. a). Acts 10:9-10. In many colder countries houses have sloping roofs because a flat roof would collapse under the weight of snow in winter. So in UK, where I live, this would need to be explained because no one would go and sit on a roof! For some of you it is easier to understand! Page 64 b). Luke 14:26 – ‘Hate’? To emphasise how much we must love Jesus more than our family, the original language uses ‘hate’ our family - in English that needs to be explained - perhaps in your language too? ‘Hate’ means to dislike someone or something very much. Compared to our love for Jesus, our love for family and friends must be in 2nd and/or 3rd places in any competition. c). Psalms 18:2 and 19:14 talk of God as a rock – does this mean God is hard and unfeeling? – or God is strong and dependable? The psalmist is using the good attributes of a rock to describe God, taking things we know to describe Someone we do not fully understand. We must be careful to discern scripture correctly, sometimes literally, sometimes not. 3. Applying – bringing the Bible and everyday life together a). 1 Corinthians 8:13 - the problem for these Christians was eating meat offered to idols - the principle Paul sets for us to apply today is – ‘if my action causes my sister to stumble I must stop doing it’, ‘even if I am otherwise free to do it’ b). Luke 9:23 - we must go Jesus’ way even if it is very hard. There is no other choice c). John 21:15; Titus 2:3-5 - we must look after the younger Christians we know Always ask yourself questions of the Bible text - look objectively even if you have known the story since you were little! Ask: who? who is involved in this passage? what? what is happening? when? what happened before and what happened after? where? where did this take place? why? why did it happen? how? how did it happen? Look/Understand/Do - correctly reading, interpreting and applying the Scripture is vital. Opposite page 65

Christian Theology in a Sudanese Context. Theology is to be considered and experienced. In Khartoum we often hear people saying: “God is great”! Only they know what is in their minds as they say it. A great person may be important because of his role as a village chief or as head of his large family. A great businessman may take significant decisions which affect many people, using the power of his wealth. A great widow may impress others by the exceptional way she overcomes the poverty and hardship brought on her by the loss of her husband in war, yet she raises her children beautifully well. Think for a moment: which of these three people just mentioned shows greatness which is like God’s greatness? God is really great! He has high status, over everybody else. All submission is due to Him. God is great in His person, in His nature, and in all of His living qualities. Then think for another moment about the greatest life ever lived in this world’s history. One of God’s angel’s told Joseph, a carpenter from Nazareth, that his intended wife was miraculously pregnant with God the Son. This was ‘Immanuel’ – God involved with humanity. (Matthew 1:18-25). Is God great enough to be fully living in the newborn baby Jesus, while at the same time holding His creation together, using something more than those tiny wrinkled human hands? (Colossians 1:15-20). Is God great enough to take a human body and human nature upon Himself, without losing anything of His already existing divine nature? (Philippians 2:6-11). Could God be great enough to die as this Man, Jesus, substituting Himself for humankind, in order to face His own living wrath against sin? (Romans 5:6-9). The good news of Christianity is that our salvation does not depend on compulsory daily prayers, nor on bowing down, nor pilgrimage to the Ka’ba, nor even on jihad. About two thousand years ago, “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them”, 2 Corinthians 5:19. God displayed none of several aspects of His greatness by His plan to serve His own people. He gave Himself to set us free. (Matthew 20:25-28). Some people in Khartoum live in large houses, with several sets of stairs to different floors. They have coloured stone walls, tiled roofs, electricity powering air-coolers and fridges, plus piped water flowing into private bathrooms and toilets. Other people live in one sun-baked mud room with large settlement cracks in the walls. They sit and talk or sleep when it gets dark, and their water is delivered daily by donkey cart. Consider: which of these people are ‘free’ in the sense God intended for them? The answer may surprise you! It is not our living conditions which makes us ‘free’ or ‘bound’. No matter where people live, they are only really ‘free’ when they experience peace with God, made available through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1-5). Once a person knows God in this way, he or she will want to get to know Him better and better as life continues. In 1972 J. I. Packer, an English clergyman who later served for many years as a Professor of Theology in Canada, wrote a book called “Knowing God”. He was convinced “that ignorance of God – ignorance of both His ways and of the practice of communion with Him – lies at the root of much of the church’s weakness today”. My brief experience of the Christian church in Sudan (visiting from 1979 almost annually, and serving as pastor for Khartoum International Church 1999-2003) made me sadly aware of many Sudanese Christians who plainly do not realise just how great God is. I quickly add that thirty-three years ministry in many churches of the United Kingdom tells me the experience of many British Christians is no better! At its very best, the church in Sudan will be made up of people from all age groups, every tribal and religious background, a whole variety of cultures and all different levels of society. Christian people will fear and love God. They will show this in every aspect of their daily lives. Even the word ‘God’ can mean a number of different things. Using words to talk or write about God is relatively easy. Wondering what those words really mean when applied to “the God of gods and Lord of lords, (God) the great, mighty and awesome”, is the greatest challenge to every Christian mind. (Deuteronomy 10:12-22). When something about God cannot be fully explained, a humble person thinks, prays, studies his or her Bible, and worships ‘God Who is beyond full understanding’. At the same point, a proud person may simply say: “If I cannot explain it, it cannot be true”. Which kind of person do you want to be? I pray that this particular selection of Christian theology will lead you, the reader, into Christian worship that is both spiritual and true. Please note: In the following pages, whenever I write: “I believe …..”, it means that in my personal studying, understanding, and application of Scripture, this is what I conclude the Bible is teaching us. I submit this to the reader, for his or her consideration during our Bible studies. I have tried to be consistent with English spellings that transfer from the Arabic language and script. However, as I have quoted exactly from other authors, and the way their books have been published, there will be apparent inconsistencies. I have included the everyday Arabic words in the One-line Dictionary at the end of the book. I have included ‘Thinking it through’ points for special thought or discussion at the end of every chapter. These could be used for group discussions, for homework study assignments, or for individual thought. It is important to apply what we learn to our lives. Thinking it through. (a). Describe in your own words the greatness of God. (b). From your memory: List all the things God is; then list all that God does. (c). How should we ‘fear’ such a greatGod?

Bible readings: Daniel 1:1-21; Daniel 3:1-30; Daniel 6:1-28. My Life (put) Alongside God's Word, volume 1. “Without Christian involvement in politics and government, Christianity cannot influence society. God can, and often does, put godly men and women in specific political situations to effect changes”.[1] I have recently been reading Daniel in the Bible. Three times God calls a handful of godly people to stand firm for Him. Every stand is a costly stand. But because these people stand firm, God uses them to make a difference. Read Daniel 1:1-21. Here are four godly prisoners. They are young men with good background, currently on the losing side, vv3-4. They find themselves chosen to serve a powerful oppressor of God’s people. Yet God put them there, v2. God had already prepared the ground on which they could make their stand, v9. The men decide they will honour God even down to the food they eat. Daniel leads by influencing others. They all take the risk. They pass the doubting official’s test. Following their personal integrity, God especially blesses them with wisdom and insight, vv17-20. These men show us that believers can serve in ungodly regimes without compromise, and with distinction. Verse 19, “they entered the king’s service”. Actually they were serving two kings – the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and, primarily, the kingdom of God. Read Daniel 3:1-30. Three of these men, now sharing the government of Babylon, are called by God to challenge the assumptions and values of the society forced on them. Like many today the king was concerned about his image! He wanted everyone to think well of him and bow to his greatness. He put himself equal with the many gods of polytheism. Three godly men refuse to go along with the crowd, some of who turn against them, v12. They are given a second chance to bow, but they use it as an opportunity to verbally witness for their Sovereign God. They know God is able, v17. They are not sure if He is willing, v18. They will accept death if that is His will. What happens to our bodies on earth is not the issue that matters. Our souls/spirits must stand eternally before God! One commentator wrote: “They would rather burn than bow to idols!”[2] Their faith was not a results-driven faith. It was principle which others followed too, Hebrews 11:34-38. The men’s faith does not save them from the fire. God joins them and keeps them safe within the fire. The hostile king sees this must be the true God at work, v28. The men’s faith and sacrifice was used by God to give them positions of influence in the province, v30. It was a baptism of fire! Read Daniel 6:1-28 After 60 years of public service, Daniel’s God-given abilities were still recognised, v3. So was his daily godliness, v5. Personal communion with God in prayer was his good practice, vv10, 11, 13. Even when human government said he must stop – Daniel would not. His first loyalty is to Almighty God. This loyalty that enables him to serve the country well, see v22, “Nor have I done anything wrong before you, O king”. Daniel only ever broke an unjust/ungodly decree. The king seems to regret throwing him to the lions and certainly doubts God’s ability to preserve Daniel, v16. But God prepared the way through this test for His servant, v22. The Creator always rules all of His creation for His purposes. During Daniel’s lifetime kings came and kings went in his country. Only God’s kingdom was eternal. Even king Darius came to see this in the end, vv26-27. The four godly men I have highlighted all influenced their country and its leadership. Scripture holds them before us as great examples to follow. In 1 Peter 2:13-17 Christians are urged to take a stand. “By doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men”, v15. May God help every one of us “to die to sins and live for righteousness” v24. Even if it costs us our lives on earth – as it did our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ – it is a price well worth paying! Discussion questions: Some Christians say that it is wrong for any Christian to be in politics. How does the book of Daniel answer that criticism? What must a Christian make sure he or she keeps as a priority, when God calls them into politics? What is God calling you to do with your life? [1] Samuel Waje Kunhiyop African Christian Ethics (Nairobi: Word Alive, Hippo Books) 2008, p.100. [2] Tokunboh Adeyemo African Bible Commentary (Nairobi: Word Alive) 2006, p.996.

Bible reading Acts 9vs10-18 and 9vs26-27. My life (put) alongside God's word, volume 1. “But 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.” Acts 9:27. Sometimes you just have to stand out on your own! You have to stand against the accepted line everyone else is following. You have to be on your own – humanly speaking – because you believe God is doing something different. It may involve how you treat someone from a different tribe, another religion or an alternative social and economic rank. In this Bible story the person who is trying to join the Christian church is the man who will later become the apostle Paul. He will write 13 of our New Testament books. Yet, when he tried to join the Jerusalem church soon after his conversion “all the disciples” were afraid of him, v26. That means Peter, James and John plus all of the other Christian leaders did not trust Saul. Worse, it meant that they did not believe that their God could work a saving and transforming miracle in the life of this one they feared so greatly. They didn’t trust God! They knew of this man as Saul of Tarsus, the man who spearheaded the murderous persecution of the ‘Jesus people’. The one who hated all Christians. That influenced their thinking more than anything else. God challenges me in this verse. He challenges me about “trust”. God challenges me about putting my concern for myself before my concern for other people. Why is my safety worth more to me than giving proper follow up to a brand new child of God? God challenges me over why I seem able to trust Him for my eternal salvation but not for my human well-being. Why can I believe God for the invisible things no-one can actually see and not for the practical daily protection that would be such a positive witness to onlookers? I live this life not for this life, but for the ultimate life that is yet to come. God challenges me as to why I appear to limit His ability to save and totally convert whom He wishes to. Why are there some infamous people, so notorious in their anti-Christian living and speaking, that I don’t pray for their salvation and I don’t do everything I possibly can to facilitate their salvation, Christian discipleship and development? I am aware that one reason against me acting like Barnabas and welcoming a “Saul” into my Christian circles is the reason of personal suffering. Of course I do not want to bring danger to myself, my family or my local church. I don’t deliberately go around eating poison just to show that my God will protect me from its effects. I avoid eating poison while I trust God to look after me if, by mistake, I do take some accidentally into my body. But suffering is part of Christian discipleship. It is not always right to avoid it: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted … continue in what you have learned”, 2 Timothy 3:12,14. Our Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven”, Matthew 5:11-12. Paul later wrote, “We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it. …. I urge you to imitate me”, 1 Corinthians 4:12,16. Notice those three great challenges for every one of us Christians who will live taking the risks God calls us to take. These are in the three great doing words of those texts above: “Continue”, 2 Timothy 3:14 Keep on going, don’t change course just because of circumstances. God’s word is stronger than any other words. God is Sovereign – prove it day by day. “Rejoice”, Matthew 5:12 Cultivate an inner happiness based on ultimate heavenly security. God is Heavenly Father – look ahead to the ‘out of this world’ meeting. “Endure”, 1 Corinthians 4:12 Take the bumps and the bruises that come as you follow Jesus Christ. God has scars in His hands, on His side and across His brow. We will view them throughout heaven’s eternity. Like Thomas let us worship Jesus, saying: – “My Lord and my God”, John 20:25-29. Remember there are real differences between the way things seem to be, and the way they really are. Live for the invisible. It is the way to honour God. In our opening Scripture it was only Barnabas who stood out. He was ready to be different. Because he honoured God, Saul joined the church. After a while he became “Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ”. What a difference God can make when His people really and truly trust Him. Discussion questions: 1. How would Ananias have felt when God called him to visit Saul? Acts 9:10-18. 2. What thoughts did he reject, and whose voice did he listen to? Why? 3. In Acts 9:19-31 Saul (Paul) has just been converted journeying to Damascus. To avoid a plot to kill him, Saul is sent back to Jerusalem. How could the believers in Damascus have helped those in Jerusalem to accept him? 4. How does this help us in receiving people outside our family, tribe, nationality?

My Notes on Teaching the New Testament, by Mama Brenda There are several mentions of Herod in the New Testament – it is a title rather than a personal name – this family tree may help. Herod the Great Herod the Great - murdered three of his 9/10 sons, and several of his 5/8 wives. Killed the Bethlehem boys. Builder. Died 4BC Kingdom divided 4 ways. Mt 2:1-9, 12, 13-18 l _____________________________________________________________________________ l l l l Archelaus Herod Antipas Philip Aristobulus ruled Judea, ruled Galilee and ruled Trachonitis not mentioned Idumea and Perea, Deposed A.D. 39 died A.D.34. in the Bible Samaria Mark 6:14-28 Luke 3:19 4B.C. -6A.D. Ruled Judea, Matthew 2: Idumea and Samaria 19-23 after 4B.C. l l Daughter Herodias Herod Agrippa I Married Uncle ruled Trachonitis Philip and then from A.D.34. married Herod Gained Galilee and Agrippa Perea from A.D.39 Mark 6:14-28 Acts 12:1-24 l l Salome daughter Drusilla, Acts24:24 and son, Herod Agrippa II Acts 25:13-26:32 Page 65

Christian Theology in a Sudanese context. Theology is to be considered and experienced. Some Christians believe that Muslims worship a different ‘God’ from Christians. Orthodox Islam usually says that Christians are worshipping the same ‘Allah’, but in the wrong way. I take a different view to both these groups. There are sufficient common beliefs about God in Christianity and Islam to accept that we believe in the same God. But since proper Christian understanding of God is based on the Bible, while Muslim understanding is based on the Qur’an, many essential differences arise. (See chapters 21-23). In Arabic ‘Allah’ means ‘the God’ as opposed to ‘a god’. To Muslims who use Arabic, ‘Allah’ is the ‘Ism adh dhat’ – the ‘essential name of God’. In the centuries before Islam existed, Arab Christians normally used the word ‘Allah’ as the name for ‘God’. ‘Allah’ was the all-powerful creator God, high over all, including over the many lesser gods of polytheism. ‘Allah’ is the name used by Arab Christians today in their Arabic language Bibles, for the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have personally heard many Sudanese Arab Christian friends use ‘Allah’ in their own prayers. The majority of Arab linguists understand the word ‘Allah’ to be “a contraction of the definitive article ‘al’ and the Arabic name for God, ‘ilah’. Hence the name ‘Allah’ refers to God as the only God, ‘the God’”. Some Arabic linguists prefer to see ‘Allah’ as a noun, the proper name of God (as my name is ‘Colin’). ‘Allah’ is similar to nearby Semitic languages: Aramaic – Elah; Syriac – Alaha; and Hebrew - El, Eloah, Elohim. I take the view that Christians do believe in the same God as Muslims do, but we have a different understanding of this God because of our acceptance of the way the Bible uncovers Him to us. It shows God, consistently and in everything, working out our salvation through Jesus Christ. I also believe that our different, Christian, understanding is right, and not wrong! When Pastor Samwiil Janguul was first translating the gospels into Nuba Koalib during the 1960’s, he began by using the local tribal name ‘Thiru’ for God. (He rightly did not want Christianity to be confused with Islam). However, when he began talking to his people about this ‘Thiru’, (his people were followers of traditional religions), he found that they already knew a lot about him and that he lived in a local hill! After he went on to explain what the Bible teaches about God, everyone understood that he was telling them about ‘Allah’, the universal God. The Forum of Bible Agencies around the world, have developed ‘Basic Principles and Procedures for Bible Translation’. Point 4 reads that translation should “represent faithfully the original historical and cultural context. Historical facts and events should be expressed without distortion. At the same time the translation should be done in such a way that the receptor audience, despite differences of situation and culture, may understand the message that the original author was seeking to communicate to the original audience”. Perhaps this principle is best seen in Paul’s preaching to followers of “an unknown God” in Athens. He began by saying: “What you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:16-34). We should do the same to people we often hear saying: “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Apostle of God”. The God Whom some others worship as ‘Allah’, we must reveal from the Bible. In our worship and in our witness we must be careful to express accurately, as best we can, “..our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us..” (Titus 2:11-15). This book is offered to help us all in doing this. Thinking it through. (a). When you talk with someone about God / Allah, how can you be sure you are talking about the same Divine Being? (b). From Acts 17:16-34 only, how did Paul define God? (c). Is there anything you would add to Paul’s definition if you were talking to your friends?If there is, why?

Acts 2vs1-21. Church Growing Pains. One of the most exciting things about being involved in God's work is that we know the work is not our own. The ultimate responsibility is His, not ours. This immediately lifts the limits and enlarges the vision. We may only be able to do a little, but God can do so very much more and more. The apostle Paul realised this the more his ministry went on. From the restriction of his own Roman imprisonment he wrote to the Ephesians: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3 vs 20 and 21. If it is God's work in which we are participating, remember that He is able to do immeasurably (Greek: HUPEREKPERISSOU, made up of three words meaning 'over', 'from', and 'abundant' or 'superabundantly') more than all we ask or imagine (Greek: NOEO meaning to 'perceive' or to 'understand'). God's power working in us and through us will take us beyond our small goals, it will expand our limited horizons, it will improve on even our greatest dreams. Jesus said to his disciples, just prior to his ascension, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." Acts 1vs4. This gift was the Holy Spirit with whom they were to be baptised, vs5. In almost any growing church there will be controversy about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps this is why Paul exhorted Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4vs3. Without the Holy Spirit there can be no real work of God. The Bible is full of reminders of the valuable ministries of the Holy Spirit. He will teach us the lessons Jesus taught his disciples, John 14vs26. He will also counsel us as Jesus counselled his disciples. The Holy Spirit will bring dynamic power to any Christian seeking to be a true witness for Jesus Christ, Acts 1vs8. He will give boldness beyond normal human ability or personality, even in times of adversity, Acts 4vs31. The Holy Spirit will give comfort and encouragement to Christians living in the fear of the Lord, Acts 9vs31. He will come alongside such individuals and congregations. He will enable heartfelt praise to God, Acts 10vs44-46. He will give prophecy, Acts 11vs28 and 21vs11. The Holy Spirit will lead the church in strategy for missions and in selecting people to do particular tasks, Acts 13vs2. He will help the church decide matters of doctrine and practice, Acts 15vs28, during times of honest testimony and dispute. Matthew Henry makes an interesting comment on Acts 19vs6 which records Paul laying hands on twelve men from Ephesus who spoke in tongues and prophesied as the Holy Spirit came upon them. "They had the Spirit of prophecy, that they might understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God themselves, and the gift of tongues, that they might preach them to every nation and language." Paul was to write to the church at Ephesus later praising God for giving them "every spiritual blessing in Christ" and urging them to continually "be filled with the Holy Spirit", Ephesians 1vs3 and 5vs18. It is precisely because the Holy Spirit does so much for any Christian work that the evil one tries, and succeeds, in creating controversy. He will try to make us "grieve the Holy Spirit" if he can, Ephesians 4vs30. He must not be allowed to succeed. In my experience the most common causes of this conflict are three. Many Christians are ignorant of what the Bible actually teaches. We are not the same as those Ephesians Paul met, who had never heard of the Holy Spirit. We remain ignorant because we only know part of the truth. Some churches take a very strong line: "the Holy Spirit and his gifts ceased to be significant since the Bible was written and accepted as the word of God". "The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a once for all event on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2". Other churches take equally strong but different views: "If you cannot speak in tongues you are not filled with the Holy Spirit". "If you are not thus filled with the Holy Spirit you are not a real Christian, or at best you are a second-rate Christian". Now, any growing church is going to have some people who have been influenced by either of these views at previous churches, or at special festivals and conventions, or through teaching cassettes and books. I often find myself sharing the counter-balancing truth with people from the different persuasions. Partial knowledge, or partial ignorance if you prefer, is a cause of conflict. Paul warns the Corinthians "Now, about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant," 1 Corinthians 12vs1. Another frequent cause of conflict is that many Christians insist that what has happened in their experience must happen in the lives of every other Christian. It is interesting that what happened to Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2vs4, was somewhat similarly repeated in his own ministry to Cornelius' household in Acts 10vs44-46. Philip, however, who was probably also present at Pentecost, Acts 1vs13, did not see the same experience in Samaria. Peter and John's arrival to lay hands on the new Samaritan believers brought in a different way of receiving the Holy Spirit, Acts 8vs17. Paul received the Holy Spirit in Acts 9vs17 when Ananias laid hands on him, and used this same 'method' with the Ephesians, Acts 19vs6. I would like to insist that there is variety in God's dealings with his children! On a summer's day in Cornwall, where I live, many people flock to the beautiful beaches. The Atlantic Ocean on the North coast at Portreath is inviting to swim and to surf. I don't go in very often these days (too old, or too lazy, or both?) but watching those who do highlights this lesson. There are some folk who strip off, run straight down the beach into the sea, and never stopping, keep going forward until they cannot lift their legs high enough to be out of the water, and they swim. It has taken fifteen seconds. There are others who get ready to swim but only paddle for half an hour gradually getting the water further and further up their legs. When it touches their tummies there is sometimes a little 'yelp' of delighted panic. After a further few minutes their feet are off the sand and they are swimming. Of course there are all sorts of other 'in betweens' in this story. There are the hardy souls who dive off the harbour wall. Others on the edge of the sea resent being splashed by those already in, or plunging past. A few, with rolled up trouser legs show no intention of going any further! And of course, tragically, hardly a season goes by without somebody drowning, and dozens needing to be rescued from their own foolishness. Is the parallel with being filled with the Holy Spirit not obvious? The third cause of conflict follows on from this wrong presumption that everyone's experience must be the same. Many Christians are insensitive to what God is doing in the lives of others. Someone may not speak in tongues, but it is noticeable that their language has changed and they are showing more Christian desires than worldly ways. Another person may not have memorised Berkhof's 'systematic theology', and certainly has not heard of "the derivation of the canon and applied tests for canonicity round about AD367". But he reads his Bible and seeks to put it into practice - even if he does go overboard with a holy kiss! New Christians are like new plants, they need a lot of special care and protection before they can stand the wild weather of life. Signs of life need to be encouraged and pruning into shape will come at the right season. What can we learn from Acts 2 about the Holy Spirit and the Christian? Perhaps the most striking part of the story is highlighted by comparing the disciples before and after their Pentecost experience. John 20vs19 says: "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said: 'Peace be with you'". These same disciples are described in Acts 2vs1-14 as bearing witness publicly in Jerusalem's market place. The crowd was over three thousand strong and included people from many different countries, some of whom were purely pouring scorn on the disciples and their witnessing. The same disciples who were afraid for their own lives before Pentecost were on fire for the Lord - regardless of themselves - after having been filled with the Holy Spirit. This account in Acts 2 is one of five in Acts which all describe the same event. In Acts 1vs4 and 5 Jesus says "... wait for the gift my Father promised...you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit." In 1vs8 he continues "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you..." In Acts 2vs4 Luke records "...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..." In Acts 2vs17 Peter applies the prophet Joel's description "...God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people". In Acts 10vs47 Peter says that Cornelius has "...received the Holy Spirit just as we have." The event is narrated by Luke in verse 44 "while Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message". Peter's own testimony bears this out in Acts 11vs15-17 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said, 'John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.' So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" Pentecost is described in at least five ways: as the disciples being baptised with the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples, as the disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit, as God pouring out His Holy Spirit, and as God giving a gift to the disciples. We must make sure we do not fall out with other Christians over mere terminology. The evidences for the Holy Sprit's presence will be many and varied as He changes us into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will give assurance that we are God's children, Romans 8vs16. He will help us get rid of the old way of life, Romans 8vs13 and 14. He will reveal to us what God intends for us, 1 Corinthians 2vs9 and 10. He will teach us spiritual truths, 1 Corinthians 2vs13. He will give to each individual some manifestation (something that will open up or make clear Christianity) for the benefit of all Christians around him, 1 Corinthians 12vs7. He will give gifts, 1 Corinthians 12vs4, and produce fruit, Galatians 5vs22 and 23. Don't insist that others have the same experiences as you. Let God the Holy Spirit help them as He will. And don't be insensitive to what the Counsellor is teaching the church together. In the church every person needs to show the difference that life in the Holy Spirit makes to him or herself. The petrol driven engine needs to be cleaned and serviced to achieve maximum performance. If the spark plug gaps are too big power is lost. If dirt is allowed to build up in the moving parts balance is lost and a rather rough ride will result. If no fuel is put into the tank the engine will sooner or later fail completely. Let us allow God to tune the engines of our own lives and churches. Make sure no sin quenches the power, and regularly take time out from life's journey to visit the source of all supplies. The same petrol powers a basic Nissan Sunny and a luxurious Rolls Royce. God the Holy Spirit can, and will, do way beyond our greatest imaginations if we acknowledge it is His work we are engaged in and not ours. We must individually be what He wants us to be. The Holy Spirit will help us do what He wants us to do, but He will not help us do anything we may want to do as an alternative. Discussion questions What jobs do you think the Bible teaches that the HolySpirit does? Is there a "one and only" pattern for the work of the Holy Spirit? If yes, what is it? If no, what guidelines are there? Why does enthusiasm about the Holy Spirit sometimes make other people feel inferior? Where does enthusiasm end and sensitivity begin?

Acts 2vs42-47. Church Growing Pains. I recently worked out the number of meetings the averagely committed person would attend in our church during one year. Every week there would be three Sunday services, prayer meeting and Bible study mid-week or a home fellowship. If he or she was in the leadership team for one of the departments - youth, witness, music or eldership, that would mean at least one more meeting a week, maybe two. Totting up the number over a year, the staggering total is revealed, 312. Not many days left over are there? And that figure does not include any 'one off' meetings or special events! Why do we have so many meetings? Perhaps an even more basic question would be, why do we meet at all? There are several dangerous myths that have developed in Christian circles about meetings. Have you heard the one that says "the more meetings you attend the more spiritual you are"? A variation is "if he doesn't go to the prayer meeting every week, he can't be spiritual enough to be a Sunday School teacher". This is a serious problem in many churches because we have subconsciously been schooled to 'judge' spirituality by outward appearances. Jesus Christ had some very hard words for the people he met who did that exact thing: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like white-washed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Matthew 23vs27 and 28. The skeleton of a church may be its programme, its structure of meetings and activities, but the life of that church is not automatically shown by 100 per cent slavish commitment to that skeleton. The life is in the spirit, the movement, the action, the heartbeat, the flesh and blood of born again people. Studying Acts we can see easily that the early Christians did have meetings and, what's more, they had lots of them. Meetings themselves are not 'evil' as some believe! We have already seen that the first thing the early church did when Jesus had ascended into heaven was to meet together in Jerusalem's upper room, Acts 1vs13 and 14. Also we have noted in Acts 2vs1 the disciples were all together in one place. After Pentecost, more than 3000 people joined the new church, and we are told in Acts 2vs42-47 what they did. Two phrases demand our attention at this point. In verse 44 "all the believers were together". The meaning is that they were all for the same things. They all wanted teaching. They all needed fellowship. They all desired to break bread, to pray, and to share together. Their common interest, common needs and common purpose made it convenient for them to be together. Hence vs46 "every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread and ate together..." Those of the same mind met for their mutual benefit. Just like anyone born again today, these early believers were being called out from a normal life in the world. It was reading Watchman Nee that helped me to see that the other side of separating ourselves from the world is joining the church. When people are born again out of life in the world, they are born into the family of the church. They are given to other Christians on trust for the Lord, and other Christians are given to them as a gift from the Lord to protect, encourage, feed and develop into maturity. Just from reading the book of Acts we can see many reasons for the early Christian meetings. In Acts 3vs1 there were set times for praying together. In Acts 4vs24 there was a prayer meeting called to pray protection on those who were being hounded by the authorities. It was also a time of testimony and another occasion when they were filled together with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 5vs12 we read that "...all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade." From the immediate context it would seem to show that this meeting included the receiving of gifts like those recorded from Joseph Barnabas, and the deceitful Ananias and Sapphira. These gifts were stewarded faithfully to meet seen needs among other believers. Also it would appear that the latest testimonies to God's activity among the young church, the "miraculous signs and wonders" were shared with everyone. Something frequently forgotten is that even this church had its problems! Acts 6vs2 says that an additional meeting was called by the apostles and elders as a result. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and decide effective action to combat immediately the problem of apparent unfairness in the distribution of food to the needy. In Acts 11vs26 we are told that the new church at Antioch met for Bible teaching from Barnabas and Saul. The exposition of Scripture and the explanation of Christian living was so effective that the people around the believers called them 'Christians'. It was probably at these class meetings that the prophecy of famine was given and as a response an offering made to help relieve the suffering of the Christians in Judea. In Acts 12v12 Peter knew where to find a prayer meeting, in the home of Mary, mother of John Mark. Luke records "many people had gathered and were praying". A missionary testimony meeting was held at Antioch according to Acts 14vs27 and also in Jerusalem, Acts 15vs4. Later in that same chapter there was a meeting of "the apostles and elders" vs6, and subsequently "the whole church" vs22, to resolve the debate over circumcision. Should this Jewish rite be compulsory for all members of the Christian church? In Lydia's house in Philippi, Acts 16vs40, Paul and Silas held a meeting to encourage the believers following recent persecution and the conversions of the slave girl, and the jailor. At Troas, the believers met to break bread, Acts 20vs7. From these examples we can see the New Testament church had meetings! The purposes varied. They met to praise God, to pray together, to interpret events of the day in the light of Scripture and to receive the Holy Spirit. They met for teaching, for fellowship, for Breaking Bread, to share meals, to distribute gifts to the needy, and to report miracles of God's grace. They met to decide priorities and to sort out problems that arose between them. They received offerings when they met, they heard prophecy, missionary testimony, and they sought to encourage one another to be Christians in a non-Christian world. Sometimes they met in the temple and sometimes they met in people's homes. Aquila and Priscilla had church meetings in their home, Romans 16vs5, 1 Corinthians 16vs19, and they were not the only ones. In a local church, perhaps especially in a small church, meetings may cause problems. There will be those mentioned before who judge spirituality by attendance at meetings. If there are only a few people in the fellowship then there will be pressure to support every meeting. The church itself may also be criticised if all its members do not support various interdenominational gatherings or special events at other places. The other side of the problem is that for all of us there are only seven evenings a week! It is all too easy to be so busy attending this meeting or that meeting that our home life and family life suffer. The church may become inadvertently responsible for breaking up families! As more and more secular jobs demand more and more of men and women's evening time, the church has to make sure it is a useful support in times of pressure rather than an extra pressure itself. The balance is very hard to draw because for different members of the congregation the needs are different. Some of the lonely singles, and perhaps couples with grown up children, would quite happily come to a meeting every evening if there was one. Other people with highly demanding jobs, like a doctor with a demanding surgery not finishing until late and then being on call for emergencies, need to be allowed to spend some time at home by themselves or with their families without feeling guilty that they are letting the side down at church. And the doctor should not be penalised, nor his gifts wasted, just because he is not always at the mid-week meeting. Besides these examples, all Christians need to have time to be Christians with their non-Christian neighbours, or work colleagues, or wider family. I know in our church there have been some special evangelistic efforts when I have encouraged people to bring their non-Christian contacts to hear the gospel. On more than one occasion the reply has come back, "I don't have time to have any non-Christian friends, because I spend every evening at church!" The writer to Hebrews does warn of the danger of trying to be a Christian on your own without any meetings. Hebrews 10vs24 and 25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." It is a good habit to meet with the church for worship, for prayer, for study and for sharing. The local Body of Christ needs its every part to fulfil its collective purpose. But let us not become legalistic. The spiritual life that flows through the living church does give freedom for individuals to be ministered to in their specific needs and situations. The custom of our Lord and the early apostles was to go to the synagogue, but within that general framework Philip was free to be Spirit-led to Samaria and the Ethiopian. Peter was free to be called in a vision to Cornelius. And the believers scattered by Stephen's persecution were free to speak the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone anywhere at anytime. There was no pressure put on people to attend meetings. Those who went did so because they were moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. Their desire was set on things above the earthly life. When our meetings are similarly peopled - be the number large or small - God will be delighted, and He will show it. Discussion questions Write a list together of the meetings available to members of your fellowship in a week. What is each one designed to accomplish? How could this be achieved better? Why do you go to the church meetings you go to? How should you apportion time between meetings, being alone with God and investing in building meaningful relationships with non-Christians?

Bible readings: Isaiah 40vs25-26; 41vs10; 45vs5-7; Genesis 1vs226-27; Matthew 5vs38-48; Luke 10vs25-37; Romans 14vs13-23. My life (put) alongside God's word, volume 1. At one of the churches I attend our weekly service begins with this prayer: “Almighty God, grant to your people love for all the things which You command and desire for all that You promise, in order that, in the middle of the many changes in our world, our hearts may be securely fixed where true joys are to be found”.[1] That is a good goal to adopt. We must want what God wants – nothing more, nothing less. It is a challenge to want nothing else except what God wants. Before we do anything else, elections, referenda, resettlement for our family, our course or career choices, our pledges in marriage, etc., let us start with God central in our minds. The Bible begins with God. “In the beginning God”, Genesis 1:1. It may sound strange to say this, but I believe we must learn to think of God as He really is! Too often our routine and unchallenged thoughts limit our vision and appreciation of Who God actually is. Even as Christian leaders, we must spend longer meditating on this wonderful God, Who is our Saviour, read 2 Timothy 2:8, Isaiah 46:8-10. In the last week I have heard from friends of the burning of half a village in Atar, Jonglei State, on New Year’s Eve, during what was described as “ethnic unrest”. Sadly this is one of many such reports. It gives rise to the question: “How should we as Christians respond to ethnic unrest?” Here are a few ideas: 1. Remember that God is still the Creator and the Ruler of this world and of local events. Consider these words of God from Isaiah. “Who is My equal? Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created these?” “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God”. “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I bring prosperity and create disaster; I the Lord do all these things”. Read and think on Isaiah 40:25-26; 41:10; 45:5-7. God wants us to think of Him every night when we see the millions of stars. Think that He is in charge of all events – even the ones where we are treated badly. As the roadside ladies carefully weave their mats and baskets for sale at the market, so God is able to weave all the events of life into His lovingly successful plan for our lives, Romans 8:28, and vv37-39. Strong Christians believe, and live by, this. 2. Remember how our Lord Jesus said we must view and treat all other human beings. Every person born has the image of God, Genesis 1:26-27. Therefore our traditional enemies, as well as our friends, have the likeness of God put into them by our mutual Creator. The world may want us to see another tribe or people group as our enemy. Our Lord Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemy”. But I tell you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you””. “You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth”. But I tell you, “Do not resist an evil person”. Read Matthew 5:38-48. Jesus wants us to show our Christianity by responding in a positively Christian way to the hatred and disrespect we receive. Our Lord demonstrated His own response as He chose to allow Himself to be nailed to a cross and judicially murdered, by the very human beings whom He had come to rescue and redeem for heaven! Jesus’ submission to God’s will bought salvation for us! Matthew 26:39. From apparent disaster came eternal triumph! In the parable of the Good Samaritan, see Luke 10:25-37, Jesus taught we must do good, even to those who are our traditional enemies. I am not saying it is easy to do this, but I am saying this is the right way to live. If our tribal or national leaders tell us to do something that is against what the Bible tells Christians to do, then we must choose to follow Christ and stand against the flow of public opinion. By so doing we accept the consequences which will follow, Matthew 5:10-12, 6:31-33. 3. Remember the Kingdom of God transcends tribalism, nationalism, and Christian denominationalism. At Rome in Paul’s time, the Roman Christians were judging one another concerning their outward ritual observances for their faith. They would split off from one another saying something like, “If you do that in your service I cannot be with you”. The teacher’s response was to see the bigger picture: “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”, Romans 14:13-23. If we respond the Christian way when we think we are wronged, God will bless us with inexplicable peace and joy in our hearts. It will be a good witness to those who mistreat us. See for example, Peter and John in Acts 4:1-31; Paul and Silas in Acts 16:22-32. In Corinth the Christians were divided over which leader to follow, 1 Corinthians 1:10-12. Paul’s teaching emphasised the cross of Jesus Christ. Fellowship around the cross of Christ, and everything seen and unseen that happened at Calvary, is the uniting factor for all true Christianity, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1:23-25. James was concerned that rich people were given privileged places in Christian worship while the poor were deprived. He rebuked the leaders saying that, “God has chosen those who are poor … to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him”, James 2:1-8. How rich in faith are you? How rich in faith am I? Peter encouraged Christians to live outstandingly different Christ-like lives in the middle of a community who lived otherwise. He urged resistance to communal pressures, the cultivation of good deeds to all, and submission to God and human authority where possible, 1 Peter 2:11-17. It is helpful to remember that he said our actions would always speak more loudly than our words. I finish with a reminder that even if you think you or your people can’t live this way – God says that, with His help, you and your people can! Fellow disciples – live on! Discussion questions: 1. What is the best way we can see all other people as God sees them, and not be forced into the trap of going along with the view of everyone around us? 2. From Romans 14:1-15:7 think about things in your own church that can bring division. How can you overcome them, and “bring praise to God”, 15:7? 3. Language is a cause of division in churches in both Sudan and South Sudan. What is the best way to overcome this? For example: Separate services for each language? Services only in the national language? Services with interpretation? Or anything else? 4. What advantages/disadvantages are there in the answers given? [1] Common Worship Holy Communion The Archbishop’s Council, 2000. Partly quoted.

Christian theology in a Sudanese context. Theology is to be considered and experienced. The study of the characteristics and attributes of God is dull to those who don’t know God personally, but it is delightful to those who do know Him. People who are alive to God have an appetite to know Him more deeply. Psalm 63:1 begins,“O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; ..” The writer has an awareness that God is there, which is why he says “O God”. He also has an assurance in knowing God personally, “You are my God”. Yet this assurance is still not the end. It leads forward into having an appetite to know God even better. He prays “Earnestly I seek You”. I sometimes asked my students at Gereif West why they wanted breakfast at the end of the second class today when they had already had a breakfast yesterday. After some laughter they would realise that their appetite to eat daily bread and foule was one good sign that they were alive and healthy. When Christians have no desire to know God any more than they do already,I usually wonder whether they really are spiritually alive. They are certainly not spiritually healthy. In Philippians 3:7-12 Paul writes of the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ. But he immediately continues “I want to know Christ”, verse 10. How can he know, and yet still want to know,Jesus? All that he knows and experiences of Jesus in his life builds within him a strong desire to know and enjoy more and more. My wife, Brenda, served with me when we lived in Bahri and pastored Khartoum International Church. We have been married for 33 years. We know each other much better now than we did when we were first married in 1970. As we have lived together and shared experiences together, we have discovered more about each other. We know what pleases and displeases each other. I know how to bring her enjoyment and I also know what troubles make her afraid. Knowing your marriage partner is very important. Knowing your God is even more so. The study and enjoyment of God is the work of a lifetime. Thinking it through. (a). What things stop people from wanting to experience more of God? (b). What things do the opposite – and help people get to know God as a real Friend? (c). Are there ways we can help each other live close to God? Share those you can think of.