Having a Vision. The Deaths of the Disciples. Lo-Ammi. Simony. Wise Little Things. by Pastor Walter Snyder Q: I think I remember this correctly, that the Bible says, "Without vision people will perish." Where is this from and exactly what does it mean? A: The Authorized (King James) Version's translation of Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." The ESV renders it, "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." This cuts to the heart of the understanding of "vision," especially when we examine the contrast between the warning in the first and the blessing in the second half of the verse. Some today take this to mean that the Church and its leaders must be "visionary" and that unless we are dreaming up new things, we are in danger of harming Christians. Yet it is clear that Solomon isn't speaking about such things as "vision statements" or "visionary thinking." Neither does this passage refer to free-lance dreaming or impromptu reception of alleged messages from God. Instead, the "prophetic visions" must come to God's people that they might know His Word and follow His will. Revelations and prophetic utterances from prophets and pastors must be in accord with God's Word in order to be considered valid and faithful. Solomon here reminds us that if God is not speaking to his people through his called servants, they will forget his Word and will be lost. Note also that a "prophetic" word is not necessarily predictive, for prophecy involves forthtelling (speaking the truth) more than it does foretelling (predicting the future). This passage also doesn't mean that new prophesies must continually come to the Church. Rather, we accept those given to others that are now part of the Scriptures. Q: Can you give me the Scripture for how each of the disciples died? A: James the Greater (Zebedee's son and John's brother) was beheaded at the order of King Herod Agrippa I, Herod the Great's grandson, nephew of Herod Antipas (the killer of John the Baptist), and father of Herod Agrippa II (who heard Paul's defense before Festus). James was the first of the disciples to suffer martyrdom, and the only one (besides Judas) whose death is recorded in the New Testament. Any accounts other than these belong to tradition, although some appear to be better attested and more likely truthful than others. For example, tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down because he didn't want to die facing the same way as his Savior. Andrew is also said to have been crucified, but on a Cross Saltire (an X-shaped cross), thus that is his symbol, white on a blue background. Since he is the patron saint of Scotland, his cross is also the Scottish flag. Barnabas was said to have been skinned alive, then beheaded and his symbol is the flaying knife. Ancient testimony says that John died a natural death in Ephesus at a very old age and after returning from years of exile. Very little is said about the death of James the Lesser while one source claims that Philip died in Hierapolis. Of the apostles of Christ, the only other one whose death is widely commented upon is Saint Paul, who was not one of the Twelve, but who was called away from persecuting the Church. Tradition has him being martyred in Rome under Nero, as Peter also was thought to be. However, since Paul was a Roman citizen, he probably avoided crucifixion and it is widely said that he was beheaded. Q: After our Bible study, we have three weekly questions to answer. Who was Loammi? Who wanted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit? And where does it say there are four things which are little upon the earth, but are exceedingly wise and what are they? A: Lo-Ammi was one of Hosea's children by Gomer, the prostitute he married. Hosea 1:2-2:23 tells of Jezreel ("God sows"), Lo-Ruhamah ("She has not received mercy"), and Lo-Ammi ("Not my people"). These were names of judgment pronounced upon God's rebellious people Israel. Yet God also promised that He would reclaim His people and would show them mercy in the great day of Jezreel, when He would sow vengeance upon His enemies and salvation for His own. Simon the Magician (Acts 8:9-24) wanted to buy the Spirit's power. His name has come into the church in the term "simony," which is buying religious offices or privileges. Proverbs 30:24-28 provides the answer for the four things: "Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces." ONLINE EXTRA (Not published in the newspaper): Q: Who was the disciple who was stoned? A: The Bible doesn't record a death by stoning for any of the Twelve. However, chapters 6 and 7 in Acts record the selection of the seven deacons, Stephen's testimony, and his death by stoning. We note that while Jesus "remained silent" in order to fulfill prophecies about Himself, Stephen was bold to testify, even though his words sealed his doom. If we further compare, we see how closely Stephen's words as he was being killed mirrored those of Jesus on the cross. To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send email to askthepastor@aol.com. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe." Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2002 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others.