“Who were the Samaritans?”……Answer: The Samaritans occupied the country formerly belonging to the tribe of Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The capital of the country was Samaria, formerly a large and splendid city. When the ten tribes were carried away into captivity to Assyria, the king of Assyria sent people from Cutha, Ava, Hamath, […]
“What was the Sanhedrin?”……The term Sanhedrin is from a Greek word that means "assembly" or "council" and dates from the Hellenistic period, but the concept is one that goes back to the Bible. In the Torah, God commands Moses Numbers 11:16 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Gather before me seventy men who are recognized […]
“Who were the Sadducees and the Pharisees?”……Answer: The Gospels refer often to the Sadducees and Pharisees, as Jesus was in constant conflict with them. The Sadducees and Pharisees comprised the ruling class of Israel. There are many similarities between the two groups but important differences between them as well.……The Sadducees: During the time of Christ […]
Stephen His name means: “Crown” His work:After Pentecost, Stephen was one of seven leaders chosen to be the first “deacons” to serve the needy. …His character:He is a model of readiness and untold courage in the face of his adversaries.…His sorrow:In addition to the rocks that came hurling down on him, Stephen must have been […]
Shemaiah [ShÔöÇ├▓maÔöÇ┬¢’ah] –jehovah is fame, jehovah has heard or obeys the lord. Evidently this popular name was shared by many Bible men, and at times two of the following may be the same individual. It is not an easy matter to identify them exactly. A prophet sent by God to prevent Rehoboam from warring against […]
Shallum, Shallun [ShÔöÇ├ól’lum]……Recompense, retribution or spoilation. A son of Jabesh, who slew Zechariah, son of Jeroboam II. He became King of Israel for one month just before the near extinction of the nation, and was slain by Menahem, son of Gadi (2 Kings 15:10, 13-15). A son of Tikvah and husband of Huldah the prophetess […]
“What should we learn from the life of Silas?”……Silas was a leader in the early church, a fellow missionary with Paul, and a "faithful brother" (1 Peter 5:12). He was a Hellenistic Jew who, it seems, was also a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37). He is also referred to as "Silvanus" in Paul's Epistles (e.g., 1 […]