Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

Things are different when Philip comes. This is the next step to the advancement of the Kingdom of God:

The Kingdom advances in the following ways:

1. Through persecution

2. Through preaching the Word with signs and wonders following: what we do and what God does!

3. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit – what is God’s method? His desire? His Purpose?

4. Through overcoming internal struggles – where does the devil have a hold on us? 

What are our areas of disobedience, or our struggles with trusting God?

Come to Jesus in an open way, do not hold back when the Spirit of God is moving upon you.

If you have been protecting the purity of the faith in one God, and his presence in the temple, and his laws for 4000 years, how can you put up with such a dramatic different interpretation of the scriptures that you have protected for so long? This is a major attack on our way of life, our historians, our traditions, our beliefs, our hope? For the Sanhedrin, it means their jobs, their livelihood, their way of life, their purpose in life. How could we have made such a wrong decision about Jesus? How can he be the Messiah if he doesn’t deliver us from Rome, and lead us into a new Jewish Kingdom? It can’t be a cursed one.

A door of salvation to the Gentiles like Jesus to the Jews and second chance.

This leads to the stoning of Stephen outside the city. In this, there is a lot of similarity to Jesus by a Hellenistic believer:  which answers the question posed by Theophilus: for assurance: 1:4. Parallels to Jesus:

Stephen has grace and power, works wonders and signs among the people 6:8

Enters into dispute with those who challenge him 6:9 including spies 6:11

Arrested 6:12 and brought to trial before the Sanhedrin 6:12-15

False witnesses 6:13 (see Mk 14:56, Mt 26:59; taken outside the city 7:58

The matter of clothing discarded 7:58; Stephen prays 7:59; asks forgiveness of murderers 7:60;

Buried by pious people 8:2.  This is a correlation as a witness of Jesus who possesses the same Spirit.

Jesus was silent, but he said he would give the words to say in times like these: Lk 21:15: “for I will provide you eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute.”

The introduction and role of Saul/Paul: 1. Accusers throw the stones, the cloaks at Paul’s feet show that he had authority, and his approval May have been more like instigator. Stephen like him was a hellenist Jew – a Roman citizen, and from a Hellenistic synagogue. He may have even known him. Prior to his conviction that Jesus was the Messiah.  This ends the Jerusalem Narrative, and begins the spread of the Gospel to the nations through Judea and Samaria.

The key event here is the references to the Holy Spirit, both in the accusation 7:51-53, and in his revelation. Luke makes clear to us, that this is not about superheroes great personalities, but it is the witness of Jesus alive in individuals.  It is the Holy Spirit that defines Stephen as a real witness to the message, the resurrection, and the newness of life in the dawning of a new kingdom with a new Lord who is over all. The Ruler is not the Sanhedrin, not the Romans, not Herod, not the Fathers, not the prophets, not the temple, and not the Torah! The Ruler, the Lord, the Prince of Peace, the counselor, the mighty God, Emmanuel, God with us is Jesus!

The reality of this confession is found in two facts:  1. He sees the Glory: the God of Glory who appears to Abraham and Moses, which makes Stephen a spokesperson for the people, the Glory is associated with Jesus, in particular his resurrection (Lk 9:31,32; 24:26; Acts 3:13) of which now Stephen is a witness to (Acts 22:20) “And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing nearby and approving, and watching over the cloaks of those who were killing him.’”

and thirdly, Glory is associated with the coming of the Son of Man (Lk9::26; 21:27)

2. He sees heaven opened up: this is a two way street, directly from the Lord to his disciples, those who believe and follow him. It also is a direct new revelation about the role of the temple and the Torah. This is what causes those who are uncircumcised in their hearts and ears, to cover their ears not to listen to such blasphemy. 

He dies while calling on the Name of the Lord, as in Acts 2:21: everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Saul is a witness to this martyrdom. Though his initial reaction is to be zealous for the traditions of Orthodox Judaism, Saul hear this messianic way of interpreting the scriptures!   

The open heaven is our choice!

What can we take out of this? The need we each have for being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Responding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, beginning with repentance, baptism, and then to follow him responding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Here the word translated most for faith: pistes, is a call to faithfulness and loyalty to the new Lord above all else. This is the hope that God gives in this life to those who follow him. It is a newness of life! It is a life filled with his presence, and a life that knows no end. This kingdom crosses borders, languages, cultures, divisions, and unifies people under the Lordship of Jesus.

What will you choose?

Zeal: what leaders protect and what they perceive their role to be – defending their way of life

Zeal for the Jews from the Old Testament:

1. The story of Moses in deliverance, the tabernacle, and the giving of the law: one God and the restoration of life as in the Law. 
2. The stories of zeal for God that are told to the children: the story of Phinehas -in Numbers 25 and Psalm 106 as well as Elijah and the prophets of Baal. 
3. Two groups of thought at this time: Hillel and Gamaliel – live and let live; and Shammai who saw violence as a necessary means to protect Gods honor, glory, and presence.  This is to enemies outside as well an contaminates on the inside as the stories of Phinehas and Elijah demonstrate.
4. History matters as it tells us something about events today.  Yitzhak Rabin, Peres, and Arafat at Oslo accords, and Nobel Peace Prize.  Amir was a zealous Torah student, and is still unrepentant. November 4 1995.
5. Finally, the Hope of Israel is total deliverance and a turning to the one true creator God.

The parallels between Moses and Jesus show a different reading of the story. You see the correlation to Jesus: in this understanding, the new way is much more faithful to the scriptures! He shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of the messianic promises!  This is how the Jewish religion ought to have been understood! The holy place is the community of believers, and obedience to the Holy Spirit is the law!

Look how the story unfolds: just like Jesus Moses is the baby saved at a time when the fulfillment of the promise was near; came to brothers offering peace, but is rejected; he was mighty in word and deed; he was rejected, but later accepted on the second visitation, just like the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; confirmed by signs and wonders; Moses is also rejected a second time even with a more powerful deliverance, the people turn to idols and end up in exile. So Jesus must suffer before entering glory. 

This will launch the end of the Jerusalem narrative and move us into the gospel to the whole world.

The reading is a major change from how those of the day thought about the temple and the law.  Indeed, the fact that Jesus saw himself as the temple instead of a building was considered blasphemy 

But Stephen sees the place where heaven interacts with earth in Jesus, and because the Holy Spirit now in dwells those who believe in him, there is a new way of reading the scriptures.  They all speak of Jesus!

And now Stephen is relating these leaders of the people to the leaders who persecuted the prophets, including Moses and all the rest? He accuses them of killing ‘the Hope of Israel’! Hope is not wanting something, it is a a futuristic waiting on the Messiah. 

But they saw themselves as being righteous, no wonder their anger burned.

Challenge: where does our background, childhood stories, culture keep us from understanding Jesus as the great victor in our lives, and in the lives of those who are different from us?  

The answer to the question: “Is this so?” - is not simply yes or no. Paul does reply succinctly: “while Paul said in his own defense, “I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”” Acts 25:8

Explain the style and parts of this sermon, the longest single discourse in Acts: Abraham, Joseph, and then Moses with the end challenge. The response is overwhelmingly violent, throwing aside Gamaliel’s previous warning, and sets off a major attempt to annihilate the followers of “this Life”.  It will also have a dramatic effect on Saul and his future.

So what is it about this defense to the three accusations: “he speaks against the temple and the Torah” that is so volatile? Why is it so offensive?

First, it is an interesting defense that does not directly answer the accusations, but a retelling of the history of the Jewish people focusing on the Patriarchs, Joseph and the Exodus by the lawgiver.

Abraham and the patriarchs

1. “Our father” what makes up the authentic family: identifies with his hearers
2. The focus is on God: he appears (3), speaks (3,6), he moves (4), gives an inheritance (5), promises (5), judges (7), gives a covenant (8), and no mention of his faith, but that he dwells (4), begets and circumcises (8).  The focus is on God’s promise, and the way it will reach fulfillment in a time beyond Abraham.  In other words, the fulfillment of the promise comes with the messianic realization of the covenant!

The story of Joseph (9-16) we can see how The biblical account points to the future and to the present time:

1. Joseph as a type of Jesus
2. Rejected by his brothers (because of envy), sold into Egypt, but his fate is reversed by God.  God is with him and frees him from all his afflictions, he finds favor with the king, as becomes ruler over Egypt. In other words, the one rejected by his own people is empowered through God’s intervention and is in a position to save the ones who rejected him.
3. The double visitation is exposed, first Jesus recognizes them and second they recognize Jesus. This is a portrayal of Jesus who is the rejected and rescued savior, the double visitation with the possibility of acceptance or rejection. 
4. The focus is on the salvation of God in the stories chosen.  This indirect way of answering the accusers as to what they charge him with are rendered baseless. This is not an argument about the temple and the religious practices of the Jewish people, nor is it about a rejection of God’s laws.  It is about recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah, and gaining the salvation promised by God to the Patriarchs as delivered to both Joseph and as we shall see to Moses. The Good News is that the promised Messiah has come, can you not recognize him?

The stumbling block is the cross! How can the Messiah die, especially when everyone who hangs on a tree is cursed?  “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—” Galatians 3:13 NASB1995

“But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.” Galatians 5:11 

Is our Gospel offensive? A stumbling block? 

“For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

1 Peter 2:6-9 NASB1995

“but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,”

1 Corinthians 1:23 NASB1995

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

Galatians 5:13-14 NASB1995

Multiplication in a new direction

            Growth as the Spirit leads. Question is this: why does the movement not have a name? Because they don’t see themselves as being outside of what is Jewish. Their worldview is very different from ours.  They see Jesus as the waited Messiah, so it is the completion of what they have been trying to defend. Here is the clash that the leaders had with Jesus, the apostles, and now the Hellenistic Jews. 

            The attack is similar to Jesus and the apostles who are arrested, tried before the Sanhedrin, and punished.  

            The face like an Angel is like Moses, the men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19,25; Exodus 34: 29,30) and Jesus at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:29) is a sign of Godly authority to speak on his behalf.

Things like Jesus:

1. Wisdom that cannot be refuted: “for I will provide you eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute.”  Luke 21:15 NASB2020
2. Sequence of events: open confrontation, spies, agitating the people, arrest, brought to trial at the Sanhedrin  
3. The “passion” of Stephen: false witnesses, blasphemy, accused of speaking against the temple, and Moses.  This accusation is repeated 3 times just as when Jesus is brought before Pilate.

The apostolic succession, and the future of this movement to the Gentiles is getting the same foundation as to the Jews.

What do we learn from this?

1. How are we preparing?
2. Understanding the issues within the Jewish mindset. 
3. What did the Pharisees believe? Why are they so upset?

The focus on Jesus and an experience that results in demonstrating the passion for The one true God!

            Like The fiery furnace, Moses, the transfiguration 

Our commitment to Jesus

Now at first sight, there are some ways to interpret this growth within the church, and the nature of disputes, some getting preference over others, which is often true. Or we can see it as a growing structure and pattern for developing organizational systems that are biblical, leading to how we run local churches. 

I have just felt uneasy here, putting a very modern western individualistic business system in place to allow churches to function.  It seems it can be a real trap to head back to developing traditions and methods that replace the actual life which God wants to give.  That is problematic for me.

So, I went back and asked God to help me see this with new eyes:  here are some observations:

1. We never hear how the issue is resolved.  Was it financial, personal, counseling related?
2. We have no idea if the chosen ones have any business acumen or not, their qualifications do not fulfill HR Standards.
3. What is the purpose of this story, just to show the source of problems?
4. Was it to show the division of responsibilities? Then why were the qualifications basically the same as for the apostles? Or the goal of discipleship for everyone?
5. Was it written primarily for Baptist churches that evolved 1500 years later to let them know the value and purpose of deacons? Ridiculous. The message must be true throughout all generations and all cultures.

So, what is the primary purpose of this story?

Why is it so critical right here?

1. I maintain it has to do with passion. Passion for Jesus and passion for His Kingdom to grow and touch all peoples everywhere.
2. When passion wanes, the signs are grumbling and complaining, stress and anger, which indicate a changing of focus.  The issue is not seeking and obeying God, rather it asks: “what is in it for me, my group, my personal comfort and well-being”.  “We always do it like this” is a death toll to passion for Jesus, obedience to him.
3. When passion wanes, the devil gets the upper hand, and we are not quick to forgive and encourage.

What is passion?  It comes from a Latin word meaning “to suffer”.  All the events leading up to this moment show the willingness, even the joy of suffering shame for Jesus.  The complaints sound logical, but do not show the willingness to suffer on the part of either group!

The key to overcoming is to restore your passion and this is how it is done:

1. This is passion: Romans 5:17 “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
2. Abandonment to the authority of Christ, death to self: return to the temple in the face of persecution
3. Clarity of Focus: this is what we are called to be and to do: draw people to God – built into a church that worships and multiples into other churches
4. Prayer as a priority: Paul said he prayed day and night- with tears- without ceasing- with thankfulness- in the Spirit – constantly- boldly- for godly sorrow- against the evil one
5. Making right decisions even at personal consequence.

In other words, the work of the apostles was not so much more important, they needed more leaders like them to keep the fires of passion for Jesus burning. 

What about you? What about the fires of God’s passion in your life?

Empowerment and Authority

The Holy Spirit fills them again with boldness, and they take on a direct assault on the traditions of the elites. They return to the place where they had been arrested into the domain of the elders and leaders who commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, no they increase their following.

The believers acknowledge the leadership and authority that Jesus gave to the apostles by bringing their money and possessions to their feet, not into the coffers of the temple! It is used to care for the poor and the widows and all are involved in building community as a family of faith.

Truth and honesty over deception and lies.

Trusting God is serious business. A similar account at the start of taking the Land with Joshua in Chapter 7.  “So the Lord said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said, “There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.””

Joshua 7:10-13 NASB1995

Now there is a similar event (not the same) but with the same effect to show how serious God is about sin. Notice, Peter does not kill them, but God removes unrighteousness from their midst!  Please note that this does not become a regular event in the church, but it is a lesson for all ages to come. Holiness is important and a very valuable lesson for all to learn.

Life in the face of danger

The people are drawn to life that heals and instructs in values that are good. They not only respect God’s authority, it affects their whole understanding of community. It demonstrates their commitment to God and to each other.  Notice, they were not building houses of worship, they were investing in each other so that all basic needs were cared for.  The administration is not defined for us, but we do know that Jesus had a treasurer and that they empowered others to manage the affairs of such a great multitude.  The apostles did not keep it for themselves – as in “silver and Gold have I none”!

How does that apply to us today.  Where are we challenged in helping to meet needs?  How do we invest in people?  How can we build a community based on trust and faith and commitment to Jesus?

Let us pray about that right now.

Story line: in the midst of persecution there is a good response:  prayer. The result was an approval from God and the gift of confidence which they had asked for!

The prayer is in stages: praise, God’s word, confidence in God’s will, ways and ability, request for confidence in the face of threats, request for miracles for others.

God’s reply: a shaking, and an infilling of the Holy Spirit!

Dictionary definition: Confidence is: full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing,belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities, self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance! Or a secret that is confided or imparted trustfully

Biblical definition: the confidence of faith is:

1. Reliance on the trustworthiness of God – victory over fear it not of self!

2. The unity of the body – strength in weakness

3. The power of the Spirit – abundance of grace

4. The love for one another – encouragement in generosity

The description here of revival is not of an event, but of a transformed lifestyle that promotes God’s presence among the people.  The Roman emperor Justin demurred that the Christians took better care of the pagan poor than they did!

How can we respond and grow in faith and confidence?  

1. Pray in a similar vein
2. Be filled with the Spirit
3. Be confident in witnessing and following Jesus
4. Doing acts of kindness
   Medical bus
   Appreciation of Teachers; Police and Fire; National Guard 
   Supporting the poor in our community (see: when helping hurts)

When you think of the Presence of Jesus, what would you normally think about? Respect, awe, fear, amazing glory, praise, wonder, speechlessness, astonishment, blown away!

I cannot think that “times of refreshing” fits into that list.  Some might think, guilt, shame, ugliness, fear, awkward, lost, evil, bad, judged, deceived.

But we need to see the three parts of this sermon

1. You are guilty even when no wrong was uncovered
2. You were innocent and there is still a chance, take it because now you are no longer innocent. This is a strict warning. Your opinions don’t count when God the creator determines what is moral.
3. The results of your repentance 
   1. Times of Refreshing
   2. Jesus coming, both now for your appointed time and in the future at the culmination of all
   3. The prophets spoke of this, and you can be the first to participate in Gods ultimate plan that will go from here to all the world
4. The message is for us all.  A simple short direct call to repent with consequences:
5. Choose the times of refreshing!

Notes from Acts 3: 1-16
What's in a Name?

Associations of identity come with names. A good name speaks of a good reputation, a good character, great feats, or memorable exploits. A good name brings up images of respect, or events, or relationships.  A good name can elicit feelings and emotions associated with a particular person. A bad name does the same in reverse, stirring up unwanted memories. Names can spurn people into action, from love to revenge they can be great motivators in life. Here we see another aspect that a particular name evokes:

The setting: The temple, the spiritual center of Jewish life. It is the place Jesus headed towards in the final days of his life here, and it is the place his disciples experienced his final discourses. The prayer life of the new converts to Christianity happened here daily. There is a growing movement that surely is not passing the attention of the religious leaders.  But this event is going to change the dynamic of the growing movement. It is a major turning point in the growth of what the church will be.

The beginning of opposition: it was this event that clinched the deal for me to become a Christian. How could the intelligent people of the day not see the good in what was being done here?

Here is the key to seeing the difference between legalistic religion and the joy of relationship in desiring to be like Jesus:

The lame man is not permitted to become a priest – he is considered imperfect and an outcast, not whole, a burden to society, a receiver of charity. He is at the entrance at the mercy of others.

The Encounter changes his life! His future, his acceptance by God and getting used to a new way of living.  Clinging to Peter and John shows his fear of the leaders.

The Boldness of Peter is astonishing in that just a few days previously he was in hiding from the Jews, also wondering if Jesus would still accept him. His restoration complete, he gives what he is now sure of in his faith. And he uses the name of Jesus – why? Because he does not have the authority, not the power, nor the piety, to do such things on his own! He clarifies where the authority comes from! He demonstrates the power in a relationship with Jesus mixed with honest humility.  No power struggle, just doing what he sees the Father doing.

The reality of this event is to elevate the church, and the head of the church, Jesus. And in this case Jesus restores the broken-hearted, revels his heart of love, and restores his human dignity.  Only Jesus has the authority to do so.  That is the central question: who has what authority?  The issue was addressed clearly in Luke 5: “who has authority to forgive sins?  Just so you know who has the authority to do that, he heals the lame man.  For him, healing is as easy as forgiveness, though forgiveness is much more valuable considering eternity as compared to temporal healings.  In this event, the challenge to the Jewish leaders who thought the had gotten rid of Jesus is renewed. It’s like he had been multiplied! His fame was spreading, and his activity was increasing!  What the 70 and the disciples had experienced was spreading faster than before.

What do we glean from this? 

1. The name and the authority of Jesus is not committed to a select few, but to all disciples
2. The use of his authority is dependent upon his direction and timing
3. The authority of Jesus is powerful, and he gives us the right to even forgive sins! (John 20:22,23)
4. Authority is linked to our faith: knowing the character and life of Jesus, and responding to him
5. This authority is not linked to our piety, character, deeds, but to Jesus and must point to Jesus!
6. There is a challenge to us, who will we be like? Those who resist what God is doing, or those who are Co-workers with Christ? What changes need to take place in your thinking and life for you to be one who Carrie’s the authority of the name of Jesus?

The lights at Christmas, including our home.  Something about lights, kids love them, we love them, we love the joy if brings.

It was a short encouragement sent by a former Swiss missionary to Brazil that made me start to think of all that the Bible has to say regarding light:

If one candle burns, it can light hundreds of other candles without ever loosing  any of it luster and glow.

Light travels at 186000 miles/sec, over 6 trillion miles in a year.  The whirlpool galaxy is over 23 million light years away from us. Light is hot, fast, bright, needed for vitamin D, helps attitude, relaxes, 

“Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 

“The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.” Isaiah 9:2 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105 

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:5 

“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” John 1:9-10 

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”” John 8:12 

“While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”” John 9:5 

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.” John 3:19 

“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” John 12:46 

““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;” Matthew 5:14 

“For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’ ”” Acts 13:47 

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9 

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

”Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 

“but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

“for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” Ephesians 5:8 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 

“The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:9-11 

“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.”Revelation 21:23 

“And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:5 

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“While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.” John 12:36 

“(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),” Ephesians 5:9 

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 

“The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” 1 John 2:10