"The Morality of the Roman Empire"
"Immorality was the fad of this era. Obscene pictures decorated the outside walls of dwellings for everyone to see. Divorce was at pandemic proportions, and family life was falling apart. Infanticide was socially acceptable. Unwanted infants were left in the street, or pitched in a ditch to die from exposure. It has been said that baby skeletons by the cartload could be taken from the bottom of the Tiber River."
"Unwanted children were also abandoned in the city forum, on a hillside, or even in the streets. Often deserted girls were picked up to be reared as prostitutes. Young boys would have their legs and arms broken and twisted so that they could be used as deformed beggars to touch the emotions of passers-by."
"In contrast to all this, what did the Lord Jesus teach concerning children, according to Matthew 18:1-6, Mark 9:36-37, and Luke 9:47-48?"
"Unwanted children were also abandoned in the city forum, on a hillside, or even in the streets. Often deserted girls were picked up to be reared as prostitutes. Young boys would have their legs and arms broken and twisted so that they could be used as deformed beggars to touch the emotions of passers-by."
"In contrast to all this, what did the Lord Jesus teach concerning children, according to Matthew 18:1-6, Mark 9:36-37, and Luke 9:47-48?"
Matthew 18:1-6
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
[2] And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
[5] And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
[6] But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mark 9:36-37
And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
[37] Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Luke 9:47-48
And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
[48] And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
[2] And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
[5] And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
[6] But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mark 9:36-37
And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
[37] Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Luke 9:47-48
And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
[48] And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
