Worship: When Persecution Backfires On You! / Wellness: 7 Principles of Biblical Wellness

Worship: For Heaven’s Sake  Sometimes God will tell you to shake off the dust and move on. But in Corinth, Paul was to stay put and live under God’s special witness protection program. (Read more below.)

Wellness: For Health’s Sake  Pastor Flemons, a doctor of biblical wellness, says biblical wellness begins with trusting God. (Read more below.)

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FaceBook – When Persecution Backfires On You! (Corinth)

FaceBook – 7 Principles of Biblical Wellness

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TOPICS THIS WEEK – September 3 – 9

Worship  Sunday – Thessalonica; Monday – Berea and Athens  – Tuesday – Corinth; Wednesday – The Thessalonian Letters; Thursday – Apollos at Corinth; Friday – Ephesus; Saturday, the Sabbath – Days of Toil and Trial [All topics per Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White.]

Wellness  Sunday – How to Get Well Monday – Why Overwork Is Bad; Tuesday – 7 Principles of Biblical Wellness

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Words of Encouragement

Isaiah 43:10  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

For Heaven’s Sake…

“During the first century of the Christian Era, Corinth was one of the leading cities, not only of Greece, but of the world. Greeks, Jews, and Romans, with travelers from every land, thronged its streets, eagerly intent on business and pleasure. A great commercial center, situated within easy access of all parts of the Roman Empire, it was an important place in which to establish memorials for God and His truth. AA 243.1

“At the very beginning of his labors in this thoroughfare of travel, Paul saw on every hand serious obstacles to the progress of his work. The city was almost wholly given up to idolatry. Venus was the favorite goddess, and with the worship of Venus were connected many demoralizing rites and ceremonies. The Corinthians had become conspicuous, even among the heathen, for their gross immorality. They seemed to have little thought or care beyond the pleasures and gaieties of the hour. AA 243.3

“Jesus, whom Paul was about to present before the Greeks in Corinth as the Christ, was a Jew of lowly origin, reared in a town proverbial for its wickedness. He had been rejected by His own nation and at last crucified as a malefactor. The Greeks believed that there was need of elevating the human race, but they regarded the study of philosophy and science as the only means of attaining to true elevation and honor. Could Paul lead them to believe that faith in the power of this obscure Jew would uplift and ennoble every power of the being? AA 244.2

“To the minds of multitudes living at the present time, the cross of Calvary is surrounded by sacred memories. Hallowed associations are connected with the scenes of the crucifixion. But in Paul’s day the cross was regarded with feelings of repulsion and horror. To uphold as the Saviour of mankind one who had met death on the cross, would naturally call forth ridicule and opposition. AA 245.1

“But the Jews of Corinth closed their eyes to the evidence so clearly presented by the apostle, and refused to listen to his appeals. The same spirit that had led them to reject Christ, filled them with wrath and fury against His servant; and had not God especially protected him, that he might continue to bear the gospel message to the Gentiles, they would have put an end to his life.” AA 248.1

Nevertheless, they sought to secure his death through the preconsul of Rome.

“Both Jews and Greeks had waited eagerly for Gallio’s decision; and his immediate dismissal of the case, as one that had no bearing upon the public interest, was the signal for the Jews to retire, baffled and angry. The proconsul’s decided course opened the eyes of the clamorous crowd who had been abetting the Jews. For the first time during Paul’s labors in Europe, the mob turned to his side; under the very eye of the proconsul, and without interference from him, they violently beset the most prominent accusers of the apostle. ‘All the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.’ Thus Christianity obtained a signal victory.” AA 253.2

(This study is based on Acts 18:1-18 and chapter 24, “Corinth” in The Acts of the Apostles (AA), by Ellen G. White.)