Winter Quarter: Unit III, Lesson 9

Many Americans are unfamiliar with the enormous impact of black women upon the Civil Rights Movement. Their impact was vitally important to the success and sustainability of the movement that reshaped America. Alia E. Dastagir writes about these contributions of black women in the USA Today article titled “The Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement Are Black Women You’ve Never Heard Of,” published February 16, 2018. She states, “The courage of black female activists in confronting multiple forms of oppression influenced other protest movements, including second-wave feminism, the fight for gay rights and the protests against the Vietnam War. Coretta Scott King, a leader in her own right, used her talent as a singer to raise awareness and funds for her husband’s movement and to advocate for human rights broadly. She was an earlier critic of the Vietnam War than her husband and persuaded him to speak out against it. King was the face of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, one of the most prominent African American civil rights organizations of his time.” “But it was the political savvy of lifelong activist Ella Baker, viewed by some as the most influential woman in the civil rights movement, that birthed the organization and set its agenda,” writes Barbara Ransby in Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement. Baker also had pivotal roles in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Women like Ella Baker and the behind-the-scenes work of Coretta Scott King often go unacknowledged in the moment, but let us be purposeful in ensuring that they never are unnoticed.

Anna Serves Prophetically (Luke 2:36-38)

KJV

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

 

NIV

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Similar to Simeon (see Luke 2:25), Anna is distinguished by her devotion to God and designated as a prophetess (verse 36a), directed by the Holy Spirit of God. She is the daughter of Phanuel, meaning “face of God,” from the tribe of Asher (verse 36b). The tribe of Asher, her ancestral linage, originally occupied the far northwestern part of Israel’s territory (see Joshua 19:24-31). The writer notes that she was married for only seven years (verse 36c), making her a widow for about eighty-four years at the time of her encounter with the Lord Jesus (verse 37a). The fact that she is continually fasting and praying in the temple (verse 37b), with her ancestral homeland being some seventy-five miles away, speaks volumes concerning her character. Additionally, the fact that the Bible not only mentions her but also mentions her father and her family tribe (see verse 36) shows the level of respect she received, for not all people mentioned in the Bible are named and even less are given the recognition of full family detail. Anna, again like Simeon, immediately recognized that Jesus was the One for whom she had been fasting and praying and gave thanks to God for the encounter and the grace bestowed upon humanity (verse 38a). She was so moved by the encounter that she spoke publicly, pointing those who heard her to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s redemption of Jerusalem (verse 38b). Not only had Anna served God by faith in praying and fasting, but also, once she encountered the Lord, she prophetically proclaimed Him with power and passion to all she encountered.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? How do you react when you finally receive a long-awaited answer to prayer?

 

All Shall Prophesy (Acts 2:16-21)

KJV

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved

 

NIV

16 “No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

18 “‘Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

19 “‘I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 “‘The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 “‘And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

 

The people had just experienced a remarkable move of God. All who gathered in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost heard a message from God in their own native language (see Acts 2:8). Acts 2:9-11 lists a few of the nationalities that were present to witness the miraculous proclamation of God’s wonderful work in their own language. It is a sad commentary on human nature that rather than recognizing and celebrating the work of God, many trivialized and minimized the miracle as a display of drunkenness and chose to mock those who had spoken by the power of the Spirit (see verses 12-13). In defense, Peter stood up and boldly explained that the men were not drunk as some had supposed (see verse 15). Peter gave a clear explanation of what was going on, recalling the words of the prophet Joel that foretold the events of the last days (verse 16). He proceeded to quote Joel 2:28-32. The last days mentioned in the quote references the time of the Messiah (verse 17a). During this time, God promised to pour His Spirit upon all of humanity, meaning all people would have access to God’s Spirit. The result would be that many would prophesy, see visions, and have dreams (verse 17b), including the old and the young, the sons and daughters of Israel (verse 17). God added that even servants, those with low social rank, would receive the Holy Spirit and proclaim God (verse 18). To confirm the outpouring upon all flesh, God stated that He would show wonders in heaven and signs on the earth before the great and glorious Day of the Lord (verses 19-20). Some connect this to historical events surrounding the time of Jesus’ birth—for example, to the existence of what is referred to as a “Blood Moon”—while others interpret it as the second coming of Christ before the final judgment. Whichever interpretation is chosen, all agree that God’s Holy Spirit has been poured out into the world, leading men and women to proclaim Jesus as Savior, with prophetic power, so that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (verse 21, NIV).

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Do you take advantage of opportunities to share your faith or experiences concerning Jesus to those you meet? Why or why not?

 

 

And More Shall Prophesy (Acts 21:8-9)

KJV

8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy..

NIV

8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.

9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

 

The text picks up after Paul and his company’s one day’s stay in Ptolemais (see Acts 21:7). When Paul reached Caesarea, he entered and stayed at the house of Philip (verse 8a). Philip was now an evangelist. The title indicates the specific focus of Philip’s ministry: leading the lost to salvation in Je- sus Christ. Acts 8:40 reveals that after Philip’s fruitful evangelistic encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, he preached throughout the coastal region and ended up settling in Caesarea. As Paul and his team travel, they find Philip still there, several years later. He was one of the first seven men set aside as deacons to support the apostles’ ministry to the fastest-growing church (verse 8b). The record simply states that Philip had four virgin daughters who prophesied (verse 9). Many scholars suggest that the ladies may have spoken a word of prophecy to Paul concerning his ministry, whether as a warning of dangers to come or as comfort for the mission and journey he was undertaking. Whatever it may have been was noteworthy enough to inspire the Bible historian to include their presence in Acts. This account in the last portion of the book of Acts emphasizes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon those present, as on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-4), as predicted by Joel (see 2:28). The account points gently to God’s use of all categories of believers in His plan of salvation—saving whom He would, whether Jew or Gentile, and using whomever He would, to carry the message.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? How can we better engage the world for Christ, utilizing everyone God has called and anointed?

There have always been those who are not genuine or sincere about serving the Lord. As we seek partners in ministry and evangelism, let us pray to be guided by God’s Spirit—for just as there are pretenders, there are far more people who are real about engaging the world for Christ, and they come from everywhere and in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

This week, specifically seek a woman in ministry (preaching or teaching) and encourage her by assuring her of your prayers for God’s blessings upon her life and work for the kingdom. Now do not forget to pray!

Many people chose to ignore the presence of women in Scripture, such as Anna, Philip’s daugh- ters, Deborah, Isaiah’s wife, and Huldah, all of whom served in the ministry role of female prophets. Others angrily deny God’s call and use of some women to serve in public ministry. This week, ex- amine your own feelings about the women whom God has called. Do not be like those on the Day of Pentecost who mocked and dismissed the disciples’ spiritual gift of tongues (or languages) just because it was unfamiliar to them. Who are we to challenge the persons God chooses to use? You will never know the quality or legitimacy of any person’s ministry based on age, background, gender, or ethnicity. Jesus said, “By their fruit ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). God has room for us all.

Lord, help us to be more supportive and less judgmental of those You call to serve in ministry. We celebrate Your sovereignty and invite You to use all of our gifts to bless Your people and build Your church. Help us to encourage others as we labor together in Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

While reading the Background Scripture, consider this thought: “There are no insignificant wit- nesses for God.”

(February 1-7, 2021)
CALLED TO EVANGELIZE
MONDAY, February 1: “Receive the Water of Life” (Revelation 21:1-7)
TUESDAY, February 2: “Jesus Declares, “I Am from Above” (John 8:21-30)
WEDNESDAY, February 3: “God’s Children Led by the Spirit” (Romans 8:12-17)
THURSDAY, February 4: “Simon and Andrew First Disciples” (John 1:37-42)
FRIDAY, February 5: “Galileans Philip and Nathanael Become Disciples” (John 1:43-51)
SATURDAY, February 6: “Jesus Heals Son of Galilean Official” (John 4:43-54)
SUNDAY, February 7: “Samaritans Come to Jesus” (John 4:25-42)