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May 24 Episode

5/25/2015

1 Comment

 
The episode begins with a continuation of the work which Philip began in Samaria.  Peter and John arrive there from Jerusalem.  Peter is able to heal those who are sick.  Although Scripture does not give account of this, it is possible that such hearings did occur; rather, Scripture states that Peter and John prayed for those in Samaria and laid their hands on them in order that they might receive the Holy Spirit!  The series did well in highlighting Simon's desire to purchase this power (of the Holy Spirit).  Peter remarked to Simon:  "Do you think God can be bought?"  Of course, this power comes as a gift from God and cannot be purchased.  We might think today of how our work in the church is not dependent on our wealth or position or education.

The big feature of this episode was the conversion of Saul.  While on the road to Damascus, he experiences Jesus in a great light and Jesus asks: "Why do you persecute me?"   We must remember that in persecuting Christians it was as if he was persecuting Jesus himself!  Saul becomes blinded by this light and is taken by his friends to Damascus where he awaits the coming of Ananias to restore his sight. I believe the series here has us contemplate the emotional state as well as the internal struggle Saul must have had with this experience.  We might picture Saul's conversion as a spur of the moment one; yet it is possible that there was immense struggle that Saul endured.

The episode also brought into light the tension within the Roman Empire.  Tiberius is offering Pilate a new position if he is willing to come to Rome.  Pilate's wife is fearful of this endeavor indicated by omens and dreams.  Perhaps, Pilate would be glad to move away from Jerusalem. Overall, we get a glimpse into how Roman rule is disturbed (if not disrupted) by this whole Jesus' movement.  It cannot be dismissed lightly.

By the way, it was an interesting commercial by Focus on the Family using John 3:16.  At that point, I was wondering what was happening in the series.

I would have you consider these questions for yourself.

1. What caught your attention in this episode?
2. From this series, what was it be like being a post-resurrection disciple?
3. Do you see value in television doing a series like this?

1 Comment

May 17 Episode

5/19/2015

0 Comments

 
The series begins to show at this point how the message of Jesus is going beyond Jerusalem.  We read in Acts 1:8:   "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."  

We are introduced to Philip who now travels to Samaria, and there he is beaten and left alone on the road. A good Samaritan comes along who helps him recover.  Philip then encounters a sorcerer by the name of Simon who can do magic (restoring Philip's pendant that was stolen from him - though not recorded in Scripture).  However, Philip shows that he is really the one who can do magic with faith by reviving someone, where Simon could not do it.  This portrayal was reminiscent of the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  Each party was to show who really had power; and of course, Elijah won out.

Simon remarkably becomes one of those who is baptized by Philip! I would have liked to have seen more of the work of Philip in this episode.

The episode also introduces us to the emperor Tiberius. He is coming to  Jerusalem and in so doing will evaluate the work of Pilate and Caiaphas in trying to maintain order in the holy city.  It was interesting seeing how Pilate and Caiaphas were seeking to work together at this point.  We see both of these men trying to defend themselves before the emperor and wanting to maintain their positions!  Caiaphas ad his wife were even talking about coming up with a large sum of money in order to keep Rome happy.  The tension gets highlighted here of how Pilate and the high priest are going to deal with this Jesus' movement.

While the episode highlighted Saul's persecution of Jesus' followers, I will look forward to when we see how Saul gets converted on the road to Damascus.

You can view the NBC page here for previous episodes.  I must say that the abundance of commercials during the hour did hinder the flow of the narrative for me.

Anyway, I would have you consider these questions for yourself.

1.  What caught your attention in how Pilate, Caiaphas, and the Emperor are portrayed?
2. From this series, what was it be like being a post-resurrection disciple?
3. Do you see value in television doing a series like this?

0 Comments

May 10 Episode

5/12/2015

0 Comments

 
This episode begins with the aftermath of Stephen's death.  It is a major disruption in this new movement.   Internally, Peter gets blamed for Stephen's death, and then we observe the ritual of Stephen's burial.

What stood out in this episode was how Caiaphas' position is being challenged.  Will he be controlled by Rome?  Will he remain as high priest?  The feeling is that these followers of Jesus must be dealt with in some way (the tent city of his followers is growing on the outskirts) and for the high priest pressure is mounting to rid Jerusalem of these new converts.  We also see the conflict between Caiaphas and his father-in-law, Annas.  The pressure is for the son-in-law to step down from his position.  We capture more of how the post-resurrection experience must be faced by the Jews and Rome.

We also observe Peter's leadership with the group.  He proclaims to Jesus' followers:  "You are his church....Go to Jerusalem and build his church." As followers of Jesus, they cannot flee from carrying on the Lord's work.  Interestingly, this emphasis comes out in the Gospel Reading for Sunday's worship on May 17.  Jesus is praying for his disciples, not that they would be taken out of the world, but that they would be protected - and especially that they would be protected from the evil one.  John 17:15

And finally, we observe how Saul (later called Paul) comes on the scene and wants to eliminate this movement.  We see him getting a document which is sealed to enable him to go against Jesus' followers.  In Scripture we have "But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus so that if he found any belonging to the way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem."   Acts 9:1-2  Saul is ready for all out warfare and enlists his cohorts with weapons.

So I would ask you again to consider the questions below and you may post your comment.

You can view the NBC page here for previous episodes.

1.  What caught your attention in how Pilate, Caiaphas, and the disciples are portrayed?
2.  What do you make of Peter's witness and power after the resurrection?
3.  From this series, what would it be like being a post-resurrection disciple?
4.  Do you see value in television doing a series like this?

0 Comments

May 3 Episode

5/7/2015

0 Comments

 
I believe the series tries to highlight the new order that Jesus was bringing to folks. For the episode shown on May 3 when Peter talks about there being so much despair, Mary, the mother of Jesus, comments that her son came to free us of this despair.  Peter would later comment concerning the love for all and the forgiveness that Jesus brings.  Yes, a new way of life is appearing on the scene.

As the program progresses we are brought to the apostles being thrown into prison for their good deeds and proclamation of Jesus. We would note here that the word and work of the risen Lord simply cannot be stopped. Then we note in dramatic fashion the angel coming to free them from prison.  I wonder here about the reaction of the guards in noticing that those imprisoned have escaped!  This ought to have been just as perplexing as the empty tomb.

What do these followers of Jesus do when they have their freedom?   They continue teaching people about Jesus!  Then, they are brought before the council, the Sanhedrin.  Gamaliel comes forward to bring some common sense to the group.  I would quote here from Scripture directly:  "If this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them - in that case you may even be found fighting against God!"   Acts 5:38-39  


Nothing seems to deter Peter from speaking boldly about his faith and about Jesus being raised from the dead. The result of all of this is that these apostles get flogged.  We also come to witness the stoning of Stephen in this episode.  Scripture indicates to us that Stephen just before he died prayed that those killing him would be forgiven....just as Jesus prayed from the cross.   Even though those followers knew the worst could happen, they could not stop proclaiming the risen Lord.

Finally, I would say that again we are exposed to the humanity of these followers of Jesus.  We notice Peter's daughter who talks to her father about returning home.  The tension is felt on the family level.

You can see the page here for previous episodes.

I would ask you to contemplate these questions below regarding this series and feel free to offer your comments.

1.  What caught your attention in how Pilate, Caiaphas, and the disciples are portrayed?
2.  What do you make of Peter's witness and power after the resurrection?
3.  From this series, what would it be like being a post-resurrection disciple?
4.  Do you see value in television doing a series like this?

0 Comments

    A.D. The Bible Continues Series

    Reflections by Pastor Marty


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