Sunday Services: 10:30 AM
505 South Sixth St. Burbank, CA
91501

FaithView, For Storm Riders:
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”—Acts 5:41

Just for the exercise, let’s clarify what an apostle is versus a disciple.

A disciple—in a nutshell—is someone that is a student of a teacher. Follower can be used, but disciple is best described as someone learning from another.

Apostle means messenger, somebody with a purpose or somebody on a mission.

When you grow up in church, the terms will flip-flop depending on who’s preaching, teaching or what Sunday School class/Bible Study you’re in. After learning the distinction of the two, you realize–I did–it’s not a showstopper or deal breaker to interchange the terms.

But..It is good to highlight why one term might be better than another in a given situation.

The passage above says, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin…”

(The Sanhedrin being the religious council. During the time of Jesus, it was made up of Pharisees & Sadducees. Essenes and Zealots are mentioned at different times. The four groups represented four schools of thought/philosophy/faith in Israel.)

Luke calls them apostles…he didn’t call them disciples. Apostle is used because at this point, just after the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they had gone forth preaching the message of Christ.

This marks a marvelous transition in the lives of these men. Remember they scattered when Christ was arrested and put on the cross. Peter denied him. Thomas wouldn’t believe until he could physically touch Jesus…But now they get arrested for preaching the Gospel…Put in jail and escape at night because an angel of the Lord opens the doors and brings them outside…And then what do they do? They begin teaching the people about Jesus all over the again.

Disciples don’t do that…Apostles do…Men on a mission with a message to bring.

We should always be reluctant to get lost in the semantics of terminology, but in this case, it helps us to see a distinction. It helps us see a transition. A metamorphosis from one thing to another…from disciple to apostle…They haven’t ceased being disciples of Christ but have become messengers of his good news.

This should cause us to think, ponder and ask ourselves a big question; “Am I a follower/disciple of Christ?”

I believe we would all answer in the affirmative…but the next question begs; “Am I a messenger for Christ?”

Now we see a distinction. These men didn’t suffer for being followers of Christ…They suffered for teaching/preaching in his name.

Paul makes mention in Philippians chapter two (paraphrased) about us being children of God in a crooked and depraved generation in which we shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life…

When something shines, it brings light…and that light is a testimony/message of its source.

The disciple learns at the foot of the teacher; the apostle gives testimony/sheds light about the teacher.

I’m not taking away anyone’s salvation, but what are we?

There is something more than just learning. It has to be about us putting what we learn into practice.

Boom!
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Collectible/Antique Sale This Friday & Saturday:
Join us this weekend in Martin Hall for Paul Cassity’s special sale. Lot of unique stuff…lot of cool stuff…Doors open at 6:PM on Friday night and 8:30 AM on Saturday morning.

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A VBS Unlike Any Other:
You can sign up your child and their friends here on our website. Look the button up top, click, and follow.

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Burbank Faith now has a Twitter account. You can follow us at; @BurbankFaithNaz

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Eric Canto has created a Burbank Faith channel on YouTube and has placed all of our recent services there. Go check it out.

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Note:
VBS Goes to Rome: The theme for Vacation Bible School this year is “Rome: Paul & The Underground Church”
The dates are June 26-30…Look at your calendar…share with your friends…Pray for Seana Zilbert, who is directing…Make plans to volunteer.

July is Camps Month: Remember July is camps month…Junior High, High School & Kids will all have separate camps at Granite Ridge.

District Assembly is July 12-14
(It is one month later this year due to General Assembly (Indianapolis) being held June 21-30.)

SrHi Camp: July 16-21
Kids Camp: July 23-28
JrHi Camp: July 30-August 4

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Did You Know?
On this date:

…In 1675, a Massachusetts law was enacted requiring church doors to be locked during the worship service. (Too many people were leaving before the long sermons were completed.)

…In 1738, English revivalist George Whitefield, 23, first arrived in America. In all, Whitefield crossed the Atlantic thirteen times, and died in Massachusetts in 1770, during his seventh visit.

…In 1850, sixteen year old Charles H. Spurgeon made his public profession of faith in Jesus Christ in a Primitive Methodist Chapel, in Colchester, England. Spurgeon began a preaching career the following year which did not end until his death in 1892.

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Church Calendar:

May 3:
All Church Prayer Time: 7—to—7:30 PM
Worship Team Practices: 7:30 PM
Adult Bible Study—1 Samuel 18—7:30 PM
May 6: Men’s Breakfast at Harry’s, 8:00 AM
May 7: Sunday Service, 10:30 AM…Sunday evening “Prayer Hour” from 6-to-7:00 PM
May 8: “Riders On The Storm”—7:00 PM
May 9: Women’s Bible Study—7:00 PM May 14: Mother’s Day
May 21: VBS planning meeting, following morning worship.
May 29: Memorial Day
June 26-30: VBS Week

As believers, we have to remain in continual prayer for all of our first responders…all our leaders…not a political party but for those carrying the heavy burden of leadership in our country and communities.