Lessons

The lesson on April 7, 2013 was part 9 of the “ABC’s of Right Division” study.  With this lesson, we are taught how Paul’s conversion out of due time, was in a way miraculous because while he was so focused on persecuting the church, Christ came to him on the road to Damascus and converted him.  Christ gave Paul a ministry to the Jew first but also to the Gentile in order to provoke the Nation of Israel to jealousy.  Paul was given two ministries and it is imparative you understand what they are and when they occur.  Paul’s first ministry was from Acts 9 thru Acts 28.  His second was from Ephesians 1 thru 2 Timothy.  We learn about the decrees set in place during his first ministry in Acts 15 for the Gentile converts so not to offend any Jews that would nullify and kind of witness and why those don’t apply to us today.  The scripture reading was from Colossians 2:16-23 KJV

“16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”