QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (113)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are some questions that are very difficult to answer.

There are some questions that are very simple to answer.

There are some questions that deserve an answer.

There are some questions that do not deserve an answer.

There are some questions individuals will kindly and quickly answer.

There are some questions individuals will angrily refuse to answer.

 

B.   Questions, however, are both fun and challenging.  Too, they are often needed in order to help the learning process.

 

C.   Thus, on the first Sunday of every month we have our Q&A Sunday. 

1.    It is okay if they are fun.

2.    It is if the questions are challenging.

3.    It is hoped that by answering the questions individuals can learn more about God’s Word.

 

D.   In this Q&A lesson, we will be examining three questions.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  Mark and Luke

 

A.   Stated:  What the connections of the Bible writers Mark and Luke?  Were they disciples?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The first four books of the Bible are called the gospels.

a.    They contain the “good news” regarding Jesus Christ.

b.    Each of them is written by four different men, have four different audiences, and four different purposes.

2.    We know Matthew and John well because they were apostles of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:2-4).

3.    Mark and Luke, on the other hand, were not apostles.  Thus, the one with this inquiry asks about the identity and connections of these two men.

4.    Mark

a.    This Mark is better known to us by the name John Mark.

b.    Family

1)    We read about his mother’s house in Acts 12:12.

 

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered praying.

 

a)    This house was located in Jerusalem.

b)    It was a place where the disciples gathered when Peter was placed in prison by Herod.

2)    In Colossians 4:10, we learn that he was the cousin of Barnabas.  Barnabas was a teacher in the church at Antioch and was the companion of Paul on his first missionary journey.

c.    Claims to Mark’s authorship

1)    Eusebius quotes Papias (60 A.D. to 130 A.D.) who claims Mark wrote the gospel of Mark.

2)    Church fathers, those who were Christians and wrote in the second and third centuries, support this view as well.  Some of their names are Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Clement, and Tertullian.

d.    It is believed that he was an associate of Peter and that Peter’s influence can be seen in the book.  Peter is the first apostle mentioned in the gospel and the last mentioned. 

5.    Luke

a.    Luke is only mentioned two times by name in the New Testament.

1)    Colossians 4:14

 

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

 

2)    2 Timothy 4:11a

 

Only Luke is with me…

 

b.    “The early church unanimously attributed the third Gospel to Luke, and all the ancient manuscripts we have of the Gospel bear his name. Early church fathers like Irenaeus, Ignatius, Clement, and Tertullian affirmed Luke’s authorship, considering his account of the life of Christ authoritative and inspired Scripture” (Who wrote the book of Luke? Who was the author of Luke? | GotQuestions.org).

c.    If Luke wrote the Gospel that bears his name, then he also wrote the book of Acts (Acts 1:1).

 

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

 

d.    The book of Acts contains what many refer to as “we statements.”  These statements indicate that the author was a companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys (i.e, Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-28:16).

e.    It is interesting that Luke notes his inspiration in Luke 1:3-4.

 

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very beginning, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

 

6.    Mark, as a close companion of Peter, and Luke, as a close companion of Paul, could have both easily received the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:10) by the laying on of the apostles’ hand which enabled them to write these two inspired works.

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Illness and Sin

 

A.   Stated:  Can illness be caused by sin?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The simple answer is:  “Yes.”

2.    In the Bible, there were times when individuals who sinned were smitten by illnesses from God (Ex., Miriam’s and Aaron’s rebellion against Moses, Miriam was smitten with leprosy, Num. 12:9-10a)

 

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.  And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow…

 

3.    God does not act directly today like He did in the Old Testament. 

4.    Sin, however, can still produce illnesses (Rom. 1:27).

 

…and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

 

a.  Alcoholism can produce liver diseases.

b.  Illicit sexual behavior can bring about sexually transmitted diseases.

c.  Drug abuse can cause cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues,    

     neurological disorders, gastrointestinal issues, and mental health

     problems.

 

III.         QUESTION #3:  Valentine’s Day

 

A.   Stated: Where did Valentine’s Day originate?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    Some trace the origins of Valentine’s Day back to a feast celebrated in the city of Rome called Lupercalia. 

a.    It was celebrated between February 13^th-15^th.

b.    It honored the gods Juno and Pan, the pagan gods of love marriage, and fertility.

c.    Some believe Pope Gelasius changed the celebration in the Roman Catholic church to celebrate the Purification of the Blessed Mother Mary with connotations of love attached to it.

d.    There are other embellishments to this story and very few believe that Lupercalia and Valentine’s Day have anything in common.

2.    One of the most prominent stories involves a priest of Rome who was called St. Valentine.

a.    He was persecuted and placed in a Roman prison.

b.    While in prison, it is said that he healed the blind daughter of his prison guard.  Her name was Julia.

c.    Because Valentine would not convert to Roman paganism, he was executed.

d.    Before his execution, he sent a letter to Julia.  He signed the letter with these words:  “from your Valentine.”

3.    When it became a formal day of celebration on February 14^th, no one knows for sure.

4.    In the course of time, it has seen its embellishment.

a.    Cupid:  The Romans god of love

b.    Hearts:  the seat of all emotions

c.    Bird:  it is believed that mid-February was the mating season of birds

d.    Cards

e.    Flowers and candy

f.     Gifts

g.    Lovers, family members, friends, and close associates can be referred to as a person’s valentine.

5.    Over the world, it has become a multi-billion dollar industry.

a.    27 billion is spend on Valentine’s Day in the U.S. alone.

b.    The average couple spends about $200.00 on Valentine’s Day.

c.    NOTE:  Some refer to this spending as “The Price of Love.”

6.    Additional thoughts:

a.    When we celebrate a holiday, we do have to give credence to everything that has been involved in that holiday throughout the centuries of its history (Ex., we are not honoring St. Valentine).

b.    There is nothing wrong taking a day to celebrate the love two individuals share with one another.

1)    Colossians 3:14

 

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

 

2)    1 Peter 4:8

 

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves…

 

c.    The expression of love should be done more than just once a year.

d.    A good way to express love is by expressing that love in action:  cards, candy, gifts, evening out, trips, etc. (1 John 3:18).

 

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 

e.    Like so many other holidays, we can get overwhelmed by the commercial nature of the day.  We spend too much money.  We put ourselves in debt.  We stress over providing for so many.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have looked at three questions today.

1.    We have learned that the evidence for the authors of the gospels comes from those who lived in or near the first century.  Very few doubt the authenticity of the authorship of these books.

2.    We have learned that sin can bring sickness and illness into our lives.

3.    We have discussed the holiday called “Valentine’s Day.”  Celebrate your loved ones on that special day, but celebrate your love on other days as well.

 

B.   Love is what moved God to send Jesus to die on the cross of Calvary

Love is what moved Jesus to leave heaven and sacrifice Himself for the sins of man.

Love is what will move a person to obey the terms of the gospel to be saved.