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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – APRIL 28, 2013

In Acts 11, the obstacles to witness don’t come from the enemies of the gospel, from cultural differences, or even from inner anxiety. They come from the church itself. For the “circumcised believers,” their identity in Christ was so connected to their cultural and religious identity that they couldn’t conceive of one without the other.

REFERENCE SHELF – APRIL 21, 2013

he words used to describe Saul in v. 1 call the reader back to 8:1b-3. In Semitic idiom, anger was associated with breath. The “threats” and “murder” that Saul breathes indicate the depth of his anger toward the disciples. While Saul is the focus of the narrative, the narrator will not allow readers to forget that the Sanhedrin plays a central role in the persecution of the renewed Israel.

RESOURCES – APRIL 7, 2013

The Sanhedrin worked ion conjunction with the ruling sovereigns of Judah, be it Herod or the Roman governors. Its actual authority was dependent upon how much power the sovereigns allowed. Herod kept tight reigns on the body, while the Roman governors tended to allow it to function with a high degree of independence.

CURRENT EVENT – DECEMBER 23, 2012

Buffalo residents have two more weeks to experience one of the most diverse collections of Nativity sets in upstate New York. The collection is owned by Fr. Roy T. Herberger, pastor of SS. Columba-Brigid Catholic Church.

REFERENCE SHELF – JULY 22, 2012

Departing from Philippi, Paul continues along the Roman highway that brought him there, the Via Egnatia. Paul and his party, consisting of Silas and, presumably, Timothy, passed through two cities along this route, Amphipolis and Apollonia
(v. 1).

REFERENCE SHELF – MAY 27, 2012

These final two chapters of Zechariah’s prophecies are dated to December, 518 B.C.E. Temple construction continues, but there is international stability. The Persian army has passed by Jerusalem; God has ensured the city’s safety as promised through the prophets.

CURRENT EVENT – MAY 13, 2012

The Roger Clemens perjury trial resumed on April 30. A jury has been seated and opening arguments have now been presented.

RESOURCES – MAY 13, 2012

The sixth vision (5:1-4) revealed a huge flying scroll that served as a reminder that those who did not obey God’s laws would be punished.