God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

B. THE EARLY CHURCH PRACTICED FASTING: Acts 9:9 - Saul began his Christian life fasting. Acts 12:5 - The Early Church prayed WITHOUT CEASING (no coffee or lunch breaks!). Acts 13:2 - The Church at Antioch fasted, then sent Paul forth. Acts 14:23 - They prayed with fasting as they ordained elders. Acts 27:9, 21, 33 - Paul and others on 14 day fast. C. IN THE EPISTLES: 1 Corinthians 7:5- Advice to married couples about fasting. 2 Corinthians 6:5- Fasting is one way ministers approve themselves. 2 Corinthians 11:17 - Paul fasted often. 1 Timothy 5:5 - An unusual ministry for desolate widows. 10. DOES A CHRISTIAN DISPLEASE GOD IF HE DOESN'T FAST? Many Christians have never fasted a day in their lives, and many evangelical churches even teach that it is not necessary for our day. You, of course, must make up your own mind on the subject, but every Christian should seriously consider the implications of Jesus' teaching on three different occasions: A. IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, Jesus stated very simply: "Moreover when ye fast…but thou, when thou fastest…" Matthew 6:16, 17. It appears that Jesus assumes that His followers will fast!

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