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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

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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

Names and Children

This excerpt starts with the matter of the name change, which as you will remember from a previous excerpt has no basis in scripture but is purely from my imagination and yet something entirely possible. So here, as the man who was formerly Barabbas, now Barnabas and his family get used to his new name , they decide to go and visit the family of the man he had killed. He doesn't want to take the children until they remind him of their previous conversation with dead man's children. I chose to keep the children involved in the action in keeping with the overall title of the series---speaking of which, remember that this book is Volume 2, Parts I

Book Excerpt

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

The next day, the newly re-named disciple and his wife were talking:
"That was really a nice meeting last night, wasn't it, Barabbas, dear?"
He didn't answer.
"Barabbas, what's the matter? I asked you a question."
He laughed. "But remember, Barabbas is no more. I’m Barnabas now."
"Oh, yes, but you said I could call you Barabbas at home."
"Yes, I did, didn't I? But be careful when we are in public, Deborah dear."
"Anyway, it was really nice to meet with Manaheem and his wife and pray together, wasn't it?"
"It certainly was, dear. I guess it was good that we prayed for the Herods but I wonder if it will do any good. They're a hard bunch."
"Now, Barabbas, you know that everything is possible with faith."
“I know Deborah dear, but I guess the LORD just hasn't given me faith for them to be saved."
Suddenly she put her hand to her mouth in gesture of remembrance. "But you know who we forgot to pray for?"
"No who?"
"--and this fits with your old name--The family of that poor man you killed. By the way, when are we going to visit them?"
"You're right, Deborah dear. I guess I sort of put them out of my mind. But we should visit them, and we should pray before we go."
The children had been silently listening to this conversation, but now their ears perked up. "Yes, when can we go, Daddy?" asked Caleb.
"Why, I don't think you children should come along. We'll have to get someone to watch them, won't we, Deborah?"
Now, little Ruth spoke up. "But Daddy, we already told the children about Jesus."
"You did?"
"Yes," offered Caleb. "And we told them that he became alive again."
"When? When did you talk to them?"
"The day they came over to where we were waiting for the meeting and told us you killed their father." volunteered Jason
"Oh, yes, I’d forgotten about that. Well, in that case, I guess you can go."
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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