Week of February 9-15, 2015 TMS Study References Theocratic Ministry School Schedule: Bible Reading: Judges 11-14 Number 1: Judges 13:15-25 Number 2: Annas—Theme: Hateful Opposition to the Truth Is Futile—it-1 pages 112-113 Number 3: Is the Bible Scientifically Accurate?— nwt page 11 paragraphs 1-3 Song: 54 Talk #1 – Bible Reading (Judges 13:15-25) 15 Ma·noʹah now said to Jehovah’s angel: “Please stay, and let us prepare a young goat for you.” 16 But Jehovah’s angel said to Ma·noʹah: “If I stay, I will not eat your food; but if you wish to present a burnt offering to Jehovah, you may offer it up.” Ma·noʹah did not know that he was Jehovah’s angel. 17 Then Ma·noʹah said to Jehovah’s angel: “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” 18 However, Jehovah’s angel said to him: “Why are you asking about my name, seeing that it is a wonderful one?” 19 Then Ma·noʹah took the young goat and the grain offering and offered them on the rock to Jehovah. And He was doing something amazing while Ma·noʹah and his wife were looking on. 20 As the flame ascended from the altar heavenward, Jehovah’s angel ascended in the flame from the altar while Ma·noʹah and his wife were looking on. At once they fell with their faces to the ground. 21 Jehovah’s angel did not appear again to Ma·noʹah and his wife. Then Ma·noʹah realized that he was Jehovah’s angel. 22 Ma·noʹah then said to his wife: “We are sure to die, because it is God whom we have seen.” 23 But his wife said to him: “If Jehovah wanted to put us to death, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hand, he would not have shown us all these things, and he would not have told us any of these things.” 24 The woman later gave birth to a son and named him Samson; and as the boy grew, Jehovah continued to bless him. 25 In time Jehovah’s spirit started to impel him in Maʹha·nehdan, between Zoʹrah and Eshʹta·ol. until about 15 C.E. (Lu 2:2) Annas was therefore high priest when Jesus, at the age of 12, amazed the rabbinic teachers at the temple. (Lu 2:42-49) Annas was removed as high priest by Procurator Valerius Gratus. Though he no longer had the official title, it was quite evident that he continued to exercise great power and influence as high priest emeritus and predominant voice of the Jewish hierarchy. Five of his sons, as well as his son-in-law Caiaphas, each held the office of high priest. Because of his prominent position, Annas is rightly designated in the Scriptures as one of the chief priests. (Mt 26:3; Lu 3:2) When Jesus was arrested, he was first taken to Annas for questioning and then was sent to Caiaphas for trial. (Joh 18:13) The name of Annas heads the list of the foremost opponents of the apostles of Jesus Christ.—Ac 4:6. The wealthy and powerful house of Annas was of the tribe of Levi, and the sale of sacrifices within the temple grounds was one of their chief sources of income—reason enough why they sought to kill Jesus, who twice cleansed the temple, which they had made “a cave of robbers.” (Joh 2:13-16; Mt 21:12, 13; Mr 11:15-17; Lu 19:45, 46) An additional reason for Annas’ hatred of Jesus and his apostles was likely Jesus’ teaching of the resurrection, the raising of Lazarus in living proof, and the preaching and teaching of the same doctrine by the apostles, for if Annas was indeed a Sadducee, he did not believe in the resurrection.—Ac 23:8; compare 5:17. Talk #3 – Is the Bible Scientifically Accurate? nwt p. 11 Question 4: Is the Bible scientifically accurate? *** “He stretches out the northern sky over empty space, suspending the earth upon nothing.” Job 26:7 [Page 727] “All the streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from which the streams flow, there they return so as to flow again.” Ecclesiastes 1:7 [Page 916] “There is One who dwells above the circle of the earth.” Talk #2 – Hateful Opposition to the Truth Is Futile Isaiah 40:22 [Page 989] *** it-1 pp. 112-113 Annas *** (Anʹnas) [from Heb., meaning “Showing Favor; Gracious”]. Appointed high priest about 6 or 7 C.E. by Quirinius, the Roman governor of Syria, and serving Page 1 of 1