Portia

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James Michael Becher

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Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

Literature & Fiction

synopsis

Synopsis

This novel is the sequel to "Of Such Is The Kingdom Parts I & II A Novel of the Christ and the Roman Empire." It employs those characters who were still alive at the end of Part II and adds some new ones. Did Claressa embrace Manaheem's new-found faith? What happened to the bereaved family of Benjamin? Did Joseph, the oldest son get to go to Rabbi school? Did Barabbas continue to follow the master and did his wife and children join him? And was Pontius Pilate able to forget about his decision to crucify Jesus and did he become the strong ruler his wife wanted him to be? These and other questions are answered in this volume.

The new characters added include Saul, who becomes Paul, Herod Agrippa, the nephew of Herod Antipas, who wants to take over the latter's territory, and Caligula, the crazy son of Emperor Tiberius and friend of Agrippa. Against the background of suspicion and treachery within the empire and disdain for and persecution of the new faith, the Church continues to grow and flourish.

Follow the travels of Manaheem as he tries in vain to convert the two Herods. Follow the machinations of Herod Agrippa in his aim to take over his uncle's territory. Follow the foibles of Pilate as he seeks to become a stronger ruler, while still regretting his decision to crucify Jesus.

Follow the new life of Barabbas and his family. Follow the lives of Benjamin's family as they cope and deal with their loss and the now seeming impossibility of Joseph's schooling. Will he get to go to Rabbi school and what will it mean for their future? But mainly follow the early church as it grows in spite of persecution.

bio

Author Biography
I, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1943 to a Christian family and accepted Jesus at an early age. In Jr. High School, I became interested in writing and drama. I wrote poems, articles and a few short stories, and plays. In college, I won second prize in a contest with a Biblical short story, which now forms part of my first novel, “Of Such Is The Kingdom, A novel of the Christ and the Roman Empire,” published in 2003. In 2010, I wrote the sequel, “Of Such Is the Kingdom, Part III, Power and Persecution, A Novel of the early Church and the Roman Empire.” I also wrote a Sci-fi novel, “Impossible Journey, A Tale of Times and Truth” and a non-fiction book, “Principles of the Kingdom." I graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 1970 with a B.A. degree in Bible-Literature, and from Biblical School of Theology in 1974 with a M. Div. Ordained in November, 1974, I served as assistant pastor/Bible teacher in several churches. I also served in a foreign-student ministry, where I met my wife, Berenice Carett from Venezuela. In 2014 I wrote an American historical novel, called "The Christmas Victory."

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Author Insight

Portia

Here I pose a meeting with Portia and Mary Magdalene, following the tragic suicide death of her husband, Potius Pilate. This meeting is pivotal. What will it mean for the life of Portia, and for the life of the new group of believers? What will her response be to Mary? Stay tuned or buy the book ------------- NOTE: This is Volume 2, the sequel to Parts I

Book Excerpt

Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

Portia had trouble finding a way back to Caesarea. Finally she gave up and decided to stay in Jerusalem for a while--at least until she could get over Pilate's death. Thus it was that one morning, as Mary Magdalene was on her way to the market to purchase provisions for the week that she saw a nicely dressed woman siting by the side of the road and sobbing. Mary, filled with compassion, went to the woman and asked: “If you don't mind me asking, what is the matter, ma’am? Perhaps I can be of help.”
“Oh, no,” Portia sobbed. “No one can help. It's my husband--.He killed himself.”
“Oh, you poor dear! It must have been quite a shock.”
“You can't imagine. I knew he was disturbed over sentencing him to crucifixion, but I never thought it would go this far.”
“Sentencing who? If you don't mind me asking—who was your husband?”
“My husband was Pontius Pilate. He just couldn't get over sentencing that innocent man, Jesus of Nazareth to be crucified.”
“Oh, my poor dear! It is a pity it had to be your husband, but someone had to do it.”
“What do mean? Jesus was innocent. I was even warned about him in a dream. I told Pilate, and I think he wanted to let him go, but he was too weak and gave in to the Jews! Then I pushed him to be stronger and he was exiled for being too strong, and, since he had time to think, he couldn't get that Jesus fellow out of his mind and—. But, what did you mean, someone had to do it?”
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James Michael Becher

Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

Book Excerpt

Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

Comment on this Bubble