7.6 Summary
Faith Without Seeing – The Path to True Blessing

Lesson 7 covers various witnesses who testify about Jesus in the Gospel of John and how their testimonies inspire and challenge us today.

1. Abraham: Jesus refers to Abraham to show the historical depth of faith. Abraham’s faith and the promises he received illustrate that God’s plan of salvation spanned generations and is fulfilled in Jesus. We are also invited to follow this example of faith.

2. Mary: Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with precious oil demonstrates her devotion and love. She provides a deep testimony of gratitude and dedication, teaching us to use our own gifts in service to Jesus, even when others do not understand.

3. Pilate: Pilate’s judgment shows how external pressures can prevent us from following the truth. Although Pilate recognized Jesus’ innocence, he succumbed to the crowd’s pressure. This reminds us to remain steadfast in our faith and not be swayed by external influences.

4. Thomas: Thomas’ doubt and need for evidence lead him to a personal encounter with the risen Jesus. His story teaches us that doubt can be part of the faith journey and that Jesus meets us in our doubts. True faith often grows by trusting without seeing everything.

5. Our Testimony About Jesus: Finally, we as today’s followers are invited to give our own testimony about Jesus. Even though we have not witnessed the same miracles as the early disciples, we have many reasons to believe in Jesus: the fulfillment of prophecies, the spread of the gospel, and the personal experience of His presence. Our daily lives and actions are powerful testimonies of faith that show others that Jesus lives and is still at work today.

This lesson calls us to appreciate the testimony of other believers, reflect on our own doubts, and be a living, authentic testimony of our faith in Jesus Christ.

The lesson about the witnesses of faith has a direct connection to our everyday life and faith because it shows us that faith is not only about great events or miracles but also about everyday actions and decisions. Each of the witnesses discussed in this lesson—Abraham, Mary, Pilate, Thomas, and the disciples—represents a specific challenge or experience that we also encounter in our faith.

1. Abraham teaches us to trust in God’s promises, even when their fulfillment seems far off. In everyday life, this means remembering that God’s plan is greater than our immediate experiences and that patience and trust are central to faith.

2. Mary shows how devotion and gratitude can express our faith, even when others do not understand. In our daily lives, we can ask ourselves how we can show our love for Jesus through small and large sacrifices, whether through time, compassion, or concrete help for others.

3. Pilate reminds us of the danger of being influenced by societal pressure. His example challenges us to remain steadfast and defend the truth, even if it means going against the tide or facing criticism. Our daily lives offer many moments where we can stand up for our convictions.

4. Thomas teaches us that doubt is a natural part of the faith journey and that Jesus meets us in our doubts. In everyday life, this means that we are allowed to bring our questions and uncertainties to God without shame. True faith often grows through wrestling and seeking, and this is an invitation to trust God in difficult times.

5. Our own testimony challenges us to witness for our faith through our behavior and our lives. It means making Jesus visible through our actions, whether in kindness, forgiveness, or how we handle difficult situations.

This lesson shows us that every person—regardless of how strong or weak they feel—has a role in God’s plan and that our faith is strengthened through lived experiences. It invites us to make God visible in every aspect of our lives and to experience how faith shapes our daily reality.

Faith is not only shown in great deeds but also in the faithfulness and love we live out every day.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-7-blessed-are-those-who-believe-7-6-summary-themes-in-the-gospel-of-john-living-faith/

November 15, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Acts Chapter 19

¹ And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

² He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

³ And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

⁴ Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

⁷ And all the men were about twelve.

⁸ And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

⁹ But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

¹⁰ And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

¹¹ And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

¹² So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

¹³ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

¹⁴ And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

¹⁵ And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

¹⁶ And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

¹⁷ And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

¹⁸ And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

¹⁹ Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

²⁰ So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

²¹ After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

²² So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

²³ And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

²⁵ Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

²⁶ Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

²⁷ So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

²⁸ And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

²⁹ And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

³⁰ And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

³¹ And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

³² Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

³³ And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

³⁴ But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

³⁵ And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

³⁶ Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

³⁷ For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

³⁸ Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

³⁹ But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

⁴⁰ For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

⁴¹ And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction

Acts 19 describes the Apostle Paul’s stay in the bustling city of Ephesus, a significant metropolis of the ancient world. In this passage, Paul encounters a group of disciples and teaches them about the Holy Spirit. He preaches intensively for two years, bringing about a deep transformation among the Ephesians through miracles and healings. The section culminates in an uproar incited by the silversmiths, who fear the cult of the goddess Diana. These events underscore the spread of the Gospel and the increasing tensions between the Christian faith and the established religious and economic structures of the time.

Commentary

Acts 19 is a remarkable chapter that showcases the power of the Gospel and its impact on an entire city. Paul meets disciples in Ephesus who had been baptized but were unaware of the Holy Spirit. Through his teaching and the laying on of hands, Paul demonstrates that the Holy Spirit plays a central role in the Christian faith, which is also confirmed by visible signs such as speaking in tongues and prophecy. The actions of the craftsmen and the priests in the temple of the goddess Diana illustrate how the Gospel challenged and transformed established economic and religious structures. Demetrius’s uproar reveals that the Gospel also posed a threat to the local economy, especially for those who derived their prosperity from the worship of pagan gods. These events highlight how profoundly the Christian faith penetrated the social fabric of society at that time.

Summary

Acts 19 describes how Apostle Paul teaches in Ephesus and successfully spreads the Gospel. He initially encounters a group of disciples who have not received the Holy Spirit and instructs them accordingly. Through Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel, numerous miracles occur, and many people convert. However, these changes disrupt the business of the silversmiths, who create small statues of the goddess Diana and see their income threatened by the rise of the Christian faith. This leads to an uproar in the city, during which Paul’s followers are attacked. Eventually, the chancellor intervenes and calms the crowd by addressing the legal situation. The chapter demonstrates the power of the Gospel and its profound impact on the social and religious life in Ephesus.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/15-11-2024-acts-chapter-19-believe-his-prophets/