Day 7 in the The Heart of Christmas devotional by Hank Hanegraff. Let me share what got from the devotional today. Today devotional is title ‘Census Considerations.’ Luke records that “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.” However many people like John Dominic Crossan and the Jesus Seminar will say that census never took place during this time and therefore proving that gospel are wrong. However is that true? In reality most biblical historians do not question census. First because Caesar Augustus was well know for doing census of his Empire. In fact the Jewish historian Josephus refers to a Roman taxation in AD 6. Consider the time it would take collect such tax it could start as early as AD 5 but more important before you could collect such a tax you would have do a census to know how much you were going to take the people. It also important to keep in mind that it took Rome 40 years to do censes of Gaul which was close to Rome, how long most taken to do censes of Israel in the distant far east of their Empire. Also is important is that has been proven Quirinius was governor in charge of the census during this time, thou he was not governor of that region. Lastly we must keep in Mind what archaeologist Sir Will Ramsey who after trying to disprove Luke’s gospel found that Luke provides a very detail correct historical account. If Luke has been prove right in everything else, then most like he correct concerning the census. As we near Christmas there many people who will challenge Christianity but we must remember to “all ways be prepare to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have but do this with gentleness and respect.” Have faith and trust in the reliability of scripture. We can trust that scripture gives us the historical account of Christ birth. So let us boldly proclaim the historical reliability of the scripture. Bible Meditation Micah 5:2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Luke 2:1-7 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Christmas Carol O little down of Bethlehem Originally by Phillips Brooks O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth! How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv’n; So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! https://youtube/watch?v=grKx1YSeLr0
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 01:16:52 +0000
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