Some thought that Jesus must have been John the Baptist raised from the dead. Both John and Jesus were on the mission of bringing people to repentance and baptism. John was beheaded because he had told Herod that it was not right for him to have his brother's wife.

   In Mark six we also have two of Jesus' very famous miracles, feeding five thousand and walking on the water. With only five loaves and two fish Jesus fed a multitude of people. Jesus also walked on the sea and came to his disciples as they were toiling against contrary winds. His disciples were amazed. Today we still stand amazed at the power of Jesus, the Son of God. 

   Jesus gave the apostles their assignments – Mark 6:1-13:  Jesus revisited his boyhood home of Nazareth. He had adopted Capernaum as His home and He did many of His mighty works there. Jesus had lived around and among these people for almost thirty years. They were astonished at His teaching. They asked, (1) Where did this man acquire this wisdom? (2) What is the given to Him? And (3) what mighty works and powers are wrought by His hands? They looked at Jesus as "the Carpenter." They knew His mother, Mary and His brothers, James and Joses and Judas and Simon. They also knew His sisters. Jesus said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his relatives and in his own house." He could not do much there because of the attitude that the people had toward Him. He did lay his hands on a few people and heal them.

   Jesus called His apostles and sent them out with authority to preach and to heal. They were His ambassadors. They were only to take the basic necessities for their journey. He wanted them to learn to depend on God. God would use the believers to provide for the needs of His apostles. When they went into a city they were to stay in one house till they left that place. They were to shake off the dust from their feet against any city that refused them or that refused God's message. He said, "Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the judgment day than for that town."

   The fate of John the Baptist – Mark 6:14-29: Guilt caused Herod to believe that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Many, through the years, have believed the erroneous doctrine of the "transmigration of the soul." Others said He was Elijah or one of the prophets. Herod had married his bother's wife. John told Herod that it was unlawful for him to have Herodias as his wife. God had said, "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness."(Leviticus 18:16)    

   Herodias' anger against John caused her to want him dead. The opportunity came at Herod's birthday banquet. When Herodias' daughter danced for the lustful Herod he said, "Ask me for whatever you desire, and I will give it to you." The girl asked her mother what to request and her mother said, "The head of John the Baptist!" John's head was lopped off and put on a platter and handed to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. I wonder what became of the head of this righteous man. John's disciples learned about what had happened and they came and buried his body.

   Jesus Fed the Five Thousand – Mark 6:30-44: The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him what they had done and what they had taught. He wanted them to have a little time to rest so he took them to a deserted place. With the continual coming of so many people they had not even had time to eat. They slipped away from the crowd and went away in a boat to a solitary place by themselves. The people saw what was happening and ran on foot and got there before the boat landed. Compassion caused Jesus to go out among the crowd to teach and to help them. It was late in the day so his disciples asked Him to send the people away to buy food.

   Instead of sending the people away Jesus told His disciples to give them something to eat. He said, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." They looked and found five loaves and two fish. Jesus commanded the people to sit on the green grass. They sat in groups of hundreds and fifties. He took the five loaves and two fish; He looked up to heaven and, gave thanks. He gave the loaves and fish to the disciples to give to the people. The people ate and were satisfied. The number of men that ate was about five thousand. When the people had eaten all they wanted they took up twelve baskets full of fragments.

            Jesus performed great miracles – Mark 6:45-56: Jesus sent the disciples across the sea to Bethsaida. He stayed behind to send the multitude away. After He sent them away He went up into a mountain to pray. The boat in which the disciples were was in the middle of the sea and the Savior was still on land. Jesus saw that they were having trouble rowing against a strong wind. So he went to them walking on the water. When they saw Him walking on the water they thought it was a ghost and cried out with terror. Jesus said, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." He got in the boat with them. At that moment the wind ceased. The disciples were astonished beyond measure. They forgot that Jesus had just fed the multitude by miracle. He is the Son of the living God.

            When they had crossed over the sea, they came into the land of Gennesaret and came ashore there. Gennesaret was on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee. The people of Gennesaret had seen Jesus before and knew about His mighty works. They knew how that He had shown compassion in healing many. So they ran about the whole countryside, and began to carry around sick people to any place where they heard that He was. When Jesus came into villages or cities or the country the sick were laid before Him. The people begged Him that they might touch even the border of His garment, and as many as touched Him were restored to health. Truly this man is the Son of God!

   Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God? If so it is time to become a Christian now! To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized to be saved. (Acts 22:16) After bap­tism follow Jesus in faithfulness as He leads you home to heaven. (Matthew 10:22)

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

1. Prayer List:  In Need Of Prayers: Anderson Bagents, Jerry Barr, Ellis Bender, Shirley Boutwell, Dannie Box, Ida “Jean” Brazell, Dorothy Buck, Viola Corley, Shirley Curry (mother of Sue Hunt), Bobby Fullington, Jean Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Judy Green, Robert & Zeola Hamilton, Billy Heartsill, Jeff Hughes, Mary Lawrence, Abigail Matthews, Shirley McMillian (mother of Angie Hobbie, auto accident), Renny McNaughton (brother of Patricia Gafford), Reba Miller (mother of Pam Till), Mary Powell, Zachary Reynolds, Don Shirley, Sarah Stidham, Rebecca Stinson, Leroy Tindal, Ted Tindal, Juanita Turner, Richard Watts, Mary Williams, and Kim Willett (sister of Randy Fullington). Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gene Buck (following a stroke), Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

2. Please Pray For: Pray for Paul Findley, Ben Newton and Jason Godwin as they serve in Iraq. Also pray for Dennis Phillips Jr. He will leave for Iraq on September 8^th or 9^th.

3. Pray For Permission To Build: Pray that we can obtain permission to build a building in Annai, Guyana, South America. A congregation is needed there. You have to be granted land to build on. You cannot just purchase it.

4. New Bible Class: Jeff Thomas is teaching a Bible class on Sunday morning on “Overcoming Addiction Through Christ.” See Jeff or Charles Box for information.

5. Birthday: Celebrating birthdays this week are: September 7^th Elizabeth Perdue, September 8^th Bruce Cauthen and Ryan Taylor, September 9^th Heather Bagents, Tony Bozeman, Kimberly Garlock and Jamey Thomas, September 10^th Erin Taylor, September 12^th Mixon Till, and September 13^th Callee Boutwell.

6. Secret Pal Program: Ladies that plan to participate in the Secret Pal Program the forms are on the table in the foyer. Please return them by October 1^st. The ladies will meet October 5^th at the home of Nell Daughtry at 2 p.m. to reveal last year’s Secret Pals.

7. Ladies Day: You are cordially invited to attend a Ladies Day seminar at the Walnut Street Church of Christ with Sheila Butt Saturday, September 13^th. Theme: “Seeking Spiritual Beauty” Our goal is to strengthen and enlighten women that are trying to be “women after God’s own heart.” Registration begins at 9:15. Seminar concludes with a luncheon at 12:00. Please call 334-382-3001 if you plan to attend. For more information on Sheila Butt visit her website at www.sheilabutt.com.

8. A Wonderful Opportunity: We are receiving a bundle of “Think” magazines each month. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and read these good articles. The latest copy is on the table in the foyer.

9.   Web-Site:  Check out our website: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org. New material is added each week and you can also access many teaching articles and past issues of The Reporter.

Beatitudes From The Epistles

   All serious Bible students are familiar with that section of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount that is called the "Beatitudes." (Matthew 5:3-12) Those that follow the principles set forth by Jesus will be blessed or will enjoy "true" happiness. The epistles also contain several powerful beatitudes:

      Blessed are those that are forgiven: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered." (Romans 4:7) Forgiveness is the great need of all that have been ignorant of God's law or that have simply violated God's law through unrighteousness. The person is truly blessed that has sins covered over by the blood of Jesus!

   Blessed are those that endure temptation: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)  Temptation comes to everyone. Those that persevere and endure these temptations will be blessed with a crown of life. These trials of one's fidelity and integrity are the proving ground for eternity.

   Blessed are those that learn and do: "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25) Those that look carefully into God's book with the intent to obey will be blessed. These blessings are promised, not to the talker; but, to the doer. The doer is one that obeys God's per­fect law of liberty.

   Blessed are those that persevere: "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:11)  To endure is to persevere or to "hold fast to." The life of a Christian must be marked by steadfastness, constancy or endurance. Christians must remain loyal even through great trial.

 - - - - Charles Box

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551