Expert: Rev. Frank Ricketts - 12/3/2006

Question
First, Jason, Acts 17:1-9, who was he exactly and why was he only mentioned there with Paul at that time and place. 2) When did Joseph die and at what age and time of Jesus' ministry and is there any reference in the Bible of it. And lastly, Mary, the virgin, how long did she remain so. Did she have other children, as where did  James the brother of Jesus and his sister(s) parentage lie. I also noticed your bio and have a question concerning drug addiction. I read somewhere between Romans and Galatians about the exact verses against drug use, though it used another phrase, can you bring that back to my reading. Thank-you

Answer
The first question: Jason he that will cure, the host of Paul and Silas in Thessalonica. The Jews assaulted his house in order to seize Paul, but failing to find him, they dragged Jason before the ruler of the city (Acts 17:5-9). He was apparently one of the kinsmen of Paul (Rom. 16:21), and accompanied him from Thessalonica to Corinth.
The second question: Joseph, husband of the Mary, a carpenter, a descendant of the house of David. He was apparently dead at the time of the Passion, for his last appearance in the Gospels is at the finding of the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple (Luke 2.42–50).
The third question: The Bible says Mary did have other children. "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? -Matthew 13:55-56 "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." -Mark 6:3 "But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother." -Galatians 1:19

Finally, in reference to drugs:
Romans 6:12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
1 Corinthians 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.


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