Closer To Heaven
|
|
|
By Björn Karlman, Executive Director, Adventist Today 29 June 2026 | Newbold College of Higher Education, the oldest Adventist educational institution outside North America, marked its 125th anniversary June 25–28, 2026 under the theme “Founded in Faith, Forged in Purpose.” The event drew alumni, church leaders, students, and families from around the world for a […] Source: https://atoday.org/newbold-at-125-resilience-regret-and-the-return-of-former-student-erton-kohler/
29 June 2026 | Dear Aunt Sevvy, Jesus was clear that His followers should partake in remembrance of Him with the bread and wine, and Paul mentions it, too. It’s not so clear about foot washing. What do you think, Aunty? Gentle Reader: The last supper has presented a centuries-long problem to Christians, notably, translating […] Source: https://atoday.org/aunt-sevvy-do-you-think-the-foot-washing-service-is-necessary-as-part-of-the-lords-supper/
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 30th of June 2026
Corinth was an important center of the ancient world, renowned for its prosperous commerce. The city was destroyed by Rome in 146 b.c. and rebuilt by Julius Caesar as a Roman colony in 44 b.c. It is this Roman Corinth that appears in the New Testament. In the time of Paul, Corinth was one of Athens’ rivals and had even surpassed it in various aspects. Corinth had two important harbors that made the exchange of merchandise and the development of its commerce easy.
Image © Provident Collection Goodsalt.com
Indeed, Paul chose Corinth because of its importance and advantaged geographic location. “An opportunity was thus presented for the spread of the gospel. Once established at Corinth, it would be readily communicated to all parts of the world.”—Ellen G. White, Sketches From the Life of Paul, p. 99.
In addition, the flourishing commerce of Corinth would make it easier for Paul to support himself by producing and selling tents while proclaiming the gospel in that city (Acts 18:2-3). Obviously, missionary work in a large and wealthy city is not free of challenges. Corinth was marked by a blatant religious pluralism (1 Corinthians 8:5), as evident by its numerous shrines built in homage to such deities as Apollo, Athena, and Aphrodite, among others, and even the worship of such Egyptian gods as Serapis and Isis.
In addition to this religious confusion, Corinth was also known for its sexual licentiousness. Strabo, a Greek geographer and historian, mentions that there were 1,000 sacred prostitutes devoted to the worship of Aphrodite in her temple at Corinth. Although many scholars view this with suspicion and connect this claim to Athenian propaganda against Corinth, ritual prostitution was common in the ancient world. Sexual immorality was a problem in Corinth, as elsewhere. Idolatry and immorality were part of daily life, and this sad reality explains much of the content of 1 and 2 Corinthians.
|
In his missionary activity in Corinth, Paul faced the challenge of an idolatrous and licentious society. What challenges in today’s culture can make it hard to preach the gospel? How can we overcome them? How much difference, if any, is there between Corinth and our cities today? |
Oh, the beauty of studying this quarter’s lessons. We will learn so much of the Love of God (and our Saviour, Jesus) which stands out in so many pages of this quarter. Trying to choose just one hymn for the Theme Hymn was almost impossible, but these ones stood out all through the lesson pamphlet from which you may choose:
Hymn 79 – O Love Of God, Hymn 349 – God Is Love and then in seeing God’s amazing love we can 
Hymn 600 – Hold Fast and
Hymn 602 – O Brother, Be Faithful.
To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/
Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has launched Justice Begins at Childhood, a global advocacy campaign calling for greater protection of children’s dignity, rights, and future around the world. The initiative was announced by ADRA International as part of its ongoing commitment to justice, compassion, and love. The campaign highlights the urgent challenges facing […] Source: https://atoday.org/adra-unveils-justice-begins-at-childhood-global-advocacy-campaign/
Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]
