Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 12:2, 17

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 12:2, 17
"And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place."

I was following the timeline where it first mentions Herold had James the brother of John killed by the sword, and it pleased the Jews. Then an angel released Peter from prison. When Peter arrives at the house of Mary, the mother of John, he tells them to go tell James what happened. I did a double take. Did Peter not know James was dead? Could he mean the other apostle James, the son of Alphaeus? I had to look that one up. It appears the James he is speaking of is the half-brother of Jesus, that is still alive.

Day 4154

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 11:26

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 11:26
"And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

It doesn't say who first called the disciples "Christians". Was it the non-believers like what I read with King Agrippa, and in the Book of Mormon? It is clear that God referred to his followers as saints. Saints is mentioned 36 times in the Old Testament, 62 times in the New Testament, and 28 times in the Book of Mormon.

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:"
(Ephesians 1:1)

"And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—
For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.
And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.
And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored."
(Alma 46:13-16)

Day 4153

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 10:12-15

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 10:12-15
"Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."

Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses but it appears that some of his Jewish followers still followed it, at least in what was considered clean and unclean to eat. I know later I will also read when other questions come up. Is it the changing of culture at that point? It made me think of how we are told the restoration is ongoing and not complete, there is more to come. It was after President Nelson was called as prophet that first heard the phrase "ongoing restoration". Up to that point I could not recall it being said like that. I decide to search the general conference talks for when that phrase was first used.

I found it in the Oct 2019 General Conference by a talk given by Elder Quentin L. Cook. He used the phrase "ongoing Restoration" in reference to President Russell M. Nelson's earlier talk. That talk was about changes in policy regarding who may serve as witnesses to baptism and sealing ordinances. It also went over changes in the Young Women and Young Men classes. After that General Conference it was used more and more. So interesting to review that tonight when we are in preparation for another change to take place in a couple weeks.There has been so many changes in the last seven years. I am so grateful I have a heart that loves and embraces change.

Day 4152

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 9:4-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 9:4-6
"And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

This made me ponder on judgment day when we will face the Lord. Like Saul, there will be no long speeches for justification for our sins and behaviors. It will be an absolute truth if we are found wanting. Thankfully for Saul he had years ahead of him to repent and be forgiven.

Day 4151