Circumcision Event Remembered - Acts 7:1-8

Then the Chief Priest said, what do you have to say for yourself?

Stephen replied, friends, fathers, and brothers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was still in Mesopotamia, before the move to Haran, and told him, leave your country and family and go to the land I'll show you.

So he left the country of the Chaldees and moved to Haran. After the death of his father, he immigrated to his country where you now live, but God gave him nothing, not so much as a foothold. He did promise to give the country to him and his son later on, even though Abraham had no son at the time. God let him know that his offspring would move to an alien country where they would be enslaved and brutalized for four hundred years. 'But,' God said, I will step in and take care of those slaveholders and bring my people out so they can worship me in this place.

Then he made a covenant with him and signed it in Abraham's flesh by circumcision. When Abraham had his son Issac, within eight days he reproduced the sign of circumcision in him. Issac became father of Jacob, and Jacob father of twelve 'Father,' each faithfully passing on the covenant sign.

This High Priest was Caiphas, the same High Priest who had earlier questioned and condemned Jesus.

Stephen launched into along speech about Israel's relationship with God. From Old Testament history he showed that the Jews had constantly rejected God's message and his Prophets, and that this council had rejected the Messiah, God's Son. He made three main points (1) Israel's history is the history of God's acts in the world; (2) People worshiped God long before there was a temple; (3) Jesus death was just one more example of Israel's rebellion and rejection of God.

Stephen wasn't really defending himself. Instead, he took the offensive, seizing the opportunity to summarize his teaching about Jesus. Stephen was accusing these religious leaders failing to obey God's laws - the laws they prided themselves in following so meticulously. This was the same accusation Jesus had leveled against them. When we witness for Christ, we don't need to be on the defensive. Instead we can simply share our faith.

Reference summary used from The Message Bible and The Life Application Bible, KJV, Tyndale Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL

Sunday - Circumcision - Genesis 17:1-14 - 9/10/17

The Lord told Abram, I am the Almighty God, walk before me. He has the same message for us today. We are to obey because he is God - that is reason enough. If you don't think the benefits are worth it, consider who God is - the only one with the power and ability to meet your every need.

Twice before God had mentioned his agreement (Genesis 12 & 15). God was bringing it into focus and preparing to carry it out. He revealed to Abram several specific parts of his covenant. (1) God would give Abram many descendants; (2) many nations would descend from him; (3) God would maintain his covenant with Abram's descendants; (4) God would give Abram's descendants the land of Canaan.

God changed Abram's name to Abraham ("the father of a great multitude") shortly before the promised son was conceived. From this point on the Bible always calls him Abraham.

God was making a covenant, or contract, between himself and Abraham. The terms were simple: Abraham would obey God and circumcise all the males in his household. God's part was to give Abraham heirs, property, power, and wealth. Most contracts are even trades: we give something and in turn receive something of equal value. But when we become part of God's covenant family, the blessings we receive far outweigh what we must give up.

God required circumcision (1) As a sign of obedience to him in all matters. (2) As a sign of belonging to his covenant people. Once circumcised, there was no turning back. The man would be identified as a Jew forever. (3) As a symbol of "cutting off" the old life of sin, purifying one's heart and dedicating oneself to God. (4) Possibly as a health measure.

Circumcision more than any other practice separated God's people from their heathen neighbors. In Abraham's day, this was essential to develop the pure worship of the one true God.

Reference summary used from The Life Application Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Wheaton, IL

Dreams Come True ... 12/29/2013 Sunday School Lesson

Circumcising . JESUS/Yeshua . purification . turtle doves . young pigeons . Luke 2 . Lamb . burnt offering . sin offering . Tabernacle . atonement . Promises . Comfort (Comforter/Holy Ghost) . far/north/west/Sinim . sing/singing . mercy . Jerusalem . Simeon . Israel . Holy Ghost . spirit . Temple . east . child Jesus . Salvation . Gentiles . Joseph & HIS Mother, Mary . Anna/prophetess . tribe of Aser . fasting & prayers . thanks . Redemption . Leviticus 12 . Isaiah 40 . Isaiah 49 . Isaiah 42 . Sunday School Lesson


The Sunday School Lesson is shared from Luke 2:25-38 (Background Scripture: Luke 2:21-40; Devotional Message: Isaiah 49:8-13).

Circumcision, of Jesus/Yeshua (Luke 2:21), ye shall cut foreskin (Genesis/Bereshith 17:11)

JESUS (Joshua, Jeshua), Joshua (Jehovah is Salvation); Eternal Life only comes by/through Jesus.

purification, laws concerning (Leviticus 13-16), of women (Leviticus 12; Luke 2:22)

turtle doves, used for offerings. Could not be obtained during the winter, when the dove or young wild pigeon could be had.

pigeon,as an offering (Leviticus 1:14;12:6;Luke 2:24)

Lamb, for sacrifices

burnt offerings, law concerning (Leviticus 1:1;6:8); make an atonement for sin ... music with (Numbers 10:10)

sin offering, ordinances concerning (Leviticus 12:6-8); Temporary (Daniel 11:31;Hebrews 9-10)

Tabernacle, the dwelling or headquarters of Moses, & the public place where the public business of the nation was transacted ... An exact of the whole structure & all its appointments was shows to him by God in Mount sinai, & he was commanded to entrust the execution of the mechanical part of the work to Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, & Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan, who were the most skillful workmen in the nation.

atonement, made by Christ (Romans 3:24;II Corinthians 5:18; Hebrews 9:28); commemorated in the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26;I Corinthians 11:23)

Holy Ghost, Comforter, God

Sinim, a remote eastern land, perhpas China

sing/singing, psalmody, service of song, Jewish, & Christian & Spiritual Songs

mercy is the act of God. Pray boldly for mercy, ask for mercy for one another. God is merciful, so we should show mercy to one another. God has provided Salvation for all men (male/female).

Simeon (hearing), blesses Christ

Spirit, of God, the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost

Temple, symbolcial of the body of Christ; of God & Holy Ghost - Christians are; house of God: ... Building not large, but magnificent & costly; made of stone & cedar, & decorated lavishly with gold & precious stones. Consistecd of 4 parts. The Porch, facing the east.

Salvation, only comes from Jesus/Yeshua.

Gentiles (not Jews), origin of (Genesis/Bereshith 10:5); Christ made known to (Colossians 1:27); their conversion predicted (Iaiah 42:1;49:6;Luke 2:32)

Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary

HIS Mother, Mary (Miriam), the Virgin, mother of Jesus/Yeshua

Anna, Grecized form of 'Hannah,' a prophetess

tribe of Aser - Asher (Happy One)

fasting & prayer, but by prayer & fasting (Matthew 17:21;Mark 9:29) ... fasting (voluntary abstinence from food) ... prayer (to ask, communciate with God; make request; to call to one's aid; Intercession, offered in the name of the JESUs; faith is essential to prayer.

thanks, gratitude; thankfulness; ... to acknowledge fully, to celebrate fully in praise with thanksgiving is used of Anna in Luke 2:38

Redemption, by Christ, through Christ's Blood

Promises: Isaiah 40:1,2 (Pardon for Iniquities & Sins) .. Isaiah 49:9b,10 (Food Provided for the Lord's Children) ... Isaiah 42:6 (Health & Healing & Pardon for Iniquities & Sins) ... Healing can be Supernatural (Divine), by rest, exercise, nutrition, professional medical aids & all Christians will have perfect bodies in Heaven.


Luke 2:21-39 (The circumcision & presentation of Jesus/Yeshua)

Luke 2:25-38

Verses 25-27

Verses 25,26 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Birth

Verse 27 ... Jesus Christ; Genealogy, Birth, & Early Life; Appearance in the Temple

(John 14:16 ... Reference Scripture in Sunday School book)


Verses 28-32 ... Jesus Christ; Genealogy, Birth, & Early Lfie; Appearance in the Tmeple

Luke 2:32 (Isaiah 49:6; Acts 13:47)


Christian Books of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ birth, early life and Ministry

Verses 33-38

Verse 33 ... Jesus Christ; Genealogy, Birth, & Early Life; Fame Among the People

Verse 34 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Figurative Prophecies, Stumbling-Stone

Verse 35 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Death

Verse 36 ... Mediums & Methods of Revelation; Prophetesses; By Vocation

Verse 37 ... The Family; Widows & Orphans; Widows to Be Honored, if Widows Indeed, A Notable Example

Verse 38 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Ministry; Christ's Reception by Men; The Ministry of Women

(John 19:25; Matthew 27:38-43)Judges 4:4; Acts 21:9)



Christian Books & Bibles with the names of Jesus in Hebrew and Aramaic



Monday - December 23, 2013 - Parents Committed to the Law - Luke 2:21-24

HIS Circumcision. Christ is circumcised. Mary purified.


Tuesday - December 24, 2013 - Circumcising on the Eighth Day - Leviticus 12:1-5

Leviticus 12 (Worship of God - Positive safeguard to health) ... The purification of a woman after childbirth.

December 24, 2013 - Christmas Eve


Wednesday - December 25, 2013 - Offering a Sacrifice to the Lord - Leviticus 12:6-8

Her offerings for her purifying.

Christmas Day.


Thursday - December 26, 2013 - Consolation for Israel - Isaiah 40:1-5

God sends comforts to HIS people. Preaching of John the Baptist.


Friday - December 27, 2013 - The Lord's Comfort & Compassion - Isaiah 49:8-13

HE is sent to the Gentiles. God's love to the Church perpetual. (perpetual: continuing forever/Eternal)


Saturday - December 28, 2013 - A Light to the Nations - Isaiah 42:1-7

Office of Christ: God's promise to HIm


Sunday - December 29, 2013 - Jesus presentation in the Temple - Luke 2:25-38

Mary purified. Simeon & Anna prophecy of Christ.


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopeida/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Special Arrangement N.T. Bible, KJV Topical Edition Bible, KJV New Devotional & Explanatory Family bible, Vine's Expository Dictionary of O.T. & N.t. Words, The Strongest Strong's Concordance Of The bible & Merriam Webster's Deluxe Dictionary 10th Collegiate Edition