Clash of Faiths: Companion novellas to the Apostle John Series, #3

By Susan Preston

What now? Heresy?

At long last Simon returns to Ephesus and his son, Judah.

Judah is about to find out...

• His father is not alone. He is bringing Judah's older brother, his wife, child, and mother-in-law.
• Simon intends to settle in Ephesus. This is not just a visit for a few months.

And why did the ship's captain hurry after his father and tell him to go to the oil-seller, a known heretic, a follower of the hated Way?

Will it go beyond a casual interest?

Read the novella to find out.

Third in a series of companion works to the Apostle John series, Clash Of Faiths is a dramatic religious novella.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Preston
• Release date: Nov 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393107903

Susan Preston

The fact I am alive today is a miracle. The surgery for aneurysms resulted in most of my aorta having a very long graft. Three surgeons had called me called a walking time bomb. But here I am. Well and busy. I was born in Peebles, a town in the Scottish borders, but moved to Australia in 1975. I live in Perth, Western Australia. I have worked as a shop assistant, double loom weaver, trained as a Psychiatric nurse and worked as an After-care Nursing Sister in an outpatient clinic and in the community. My last job (before being bitten by the writing bug) was as a certified computer trainer. (Certificate IV in Training and Assessing). The holder of a Microsoft Master qualification in Office 2007, I enjoyed my work in a Registered Training Centre. I also had some private students and wrote manuals for them re-interpreting the jargon filled, missing steps manuals that left beginners wanting to quit. I loved the 'aha' moment when it clicked for a student, especially mature aged learners. So far two books in this series have been published. Hold the Faith, and book 2, Grow in Grace. After the death of my husband, I was unable to concentrate for long, so spent my writing time completing 'Geoff's Last Journeyings', a record for friends and family my husband's last year in the battle with Pulmonary Fibrosing. I have also kept up my blogs... Hold the Faith. Now, it is time to start work on the existing first draft of book three in the Apostle John series . Christian history fascinates me and a Bible Study on the Apostle John inspired me to set this history down. I am a practising Christian, a Sabbath keeper and member of a very supportive church.

Book preview

A Head’s Up

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About Ephesus (In the time setting of the series.)

Death and Mourning in the 1st Century AD

Living in Dangerous Times

Marriage in the 1st Century AD

The Roman Province of Asia Minor.

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Chapter One

Kudasi, near Ephesus, 100 AD

Two weeks after Feast of Unleavened Bread

Although the voyage from Egypt has been reasonably calm, I am pleased that we have docked at the port, Simon admitted to Barnabus, the captain.

Since you are traveling to Ephesus, the next part of your journey is on land. I need to sail again on the next tide.

Then we should go ashore, Simon replied.

Barnabus smiled and said, The ship is sitting low in the water. If you go to the middle of the deck you should be able to jump onto the wharf safely, then, looking around, he asked, Where is the rest of your family?

Still packing up their traveling supplies so I thought I would find my son Judah and make sure the carts are ready.

I will send one of the crew to help your family over the side of the ship, Barnabus said, hoping it would hurry them. His sailors needed to unload the goods for Kudasi and Ephesus, then load the freight waiting to be transported back to Alexandria. Now the season of storms was over he could not delay. A new crew would be waiting, and he was sure a warehouse full of goods were waiting to be shipped.

Thank you, Barnabus, I hope we will be off your ship as soon as possible, and your men can do their work. As he made his way to the lowest point of the ship, Simon scanned the wharf looking for Judah. Smiling when he saw him, he tucked his robe between his legs and hitched it into his girdle. After climbing on the side of the vessel, he jumped down, then hurried toward his son. Judah, he called, attracting his son’s attention.

His delight obvious, Judah greeted his father, Abba, how good it is to see you again. Come now, let’s find your goods so we can start the journey home and you can meet your grandchildren! It is a long journey, but there will be much to tell each another. Oh, and I brought the carts you asked me to arrange for you and your goods."

Thank you, Judah. My eyes are glad to see you again, but, I am not alone. The other cart is not for me. Did you do as I asked and hire a house?

Esther and I want to talk to you about that, Abba. We do not understand why you do not want to stay with us. The boys are young, but they sleep through the night. You will be able to sleep in peace.

The house is not for me, son. For your brother and his family.

My brother? Did he mean Elazar, or did he mean one of his brothers-in-law, Judah wondered. I do not understand... Might it be one of his brother Simon’s sons? Not wanting to ask about his oldest brother as soon as his father arrived, Judah said no more.

Just then Elazar bounded toward his father and brother, Aiutu, Abigail is ready, so is her mother, the sailors are helping them. Is there a cart for us? Abigail sent me to ask.

There will be, but first, greet your brother Judah, Simon replied.

Forehead wrinkled, Elazar stared at the tall, distinguished man before him, Hamadi? My younger brother?

In Ephesus he is called Judah, Simon said, It is his Jewish name.

Oh. Like Sefu changed his name from Simon?

No, not like that, Hamadi was named Judah at the synagogue on his eighth-day naming.

Oh, Elazar looked confused.

Judah was the first son your mother was well enough to name after he was born. She named him Hamadi, which means praise. At his naming ceremony, I gave him his Hebrew name, Judah, which also means praise. You have only a Hebrew name. One name is enough, Simon smiled.

Yes. My daughter only has one name, Elazar agreed.

Simon saw he had succeeded in distracting Elazar from discussing the painful subject of his older brother as soon as they landed.

Mary and Abigail approached carrying Elazar’s daughter, Did you forget what we asked you to do, Elazar? The sailors are unloading our goods now. Where is the transport? Abigail asked.

No, I did not forget. I had to greet my younger brother.

Simon interrupted, I will introduce you all later, first, Judah... the carts?

Doran is waiting with them, I will call him, Judah replied, realizing his questions would have to wait.

After watching him go, Simon turned to Abigail, You should not be carrying Elisheva, and reached to take the wriggling toddler from her.

Elazar, please see to our goods, directed Abigail. Your brother said he is bringing a cart.

Yes, Abigail, Elazar replied, and turned to go back to the ship.

It is something Elazar is capable with. He is good with organizing shipments, Simon pointed out.

I know, father-in-law, Abigail replied with a smile.

Mary, Abigail’s mother, had been watching. Your other son seemed surprised to see us all, did you not tell him we were coming with you? she asked.

I sent a hurried note by the previous ship, Mary. I said we would need two carts as there would be a great deal of supplies, but no, I did not tell him Elazar and his family were also coming. Remember, it was difficult for you to make up your minds. A further letter would have been on the ship we have just traveled on. Seeing the next question forming, Simon said, I asked him to hire a house. I hope he did so as it seems he thinks it is for me.

I suppose you will think I am a foolish old woman, Mary said, but I found it difficult to decide because... because my husband is buried there, in Egypt. She closed her eyes, suppressed a sob, and said, What was left of him. Not wanting to dwell on the horrific time when her husband had been attacked by a crocodile, she added, And all my ancestors are there.

I do not think you are foolish, Mary. It is one of the reasons I wanted to return to Ephesus to live. When my time comes, I want to rest with my ancestors. Mary, please, let me assure you that if you cannot settle here, I will make sure you return to Egypt safely, you and your small family.

Mary held out her arms to Elisheva, and the child leaned toward her forcing Simon to let go. Catching her expertly, Mary looked at Simon, her expression putting into words what she chose not to say. ‘But your wife is buried in Egypt, and your oldest son.’ Looking away, she occupied herself tidying her granddaughter’s clothing before saying, I hope I do not have to make that long sea voyage again. I am not young anymore, and probably foolish for deciding to come here.

Aima is tired, Abigail explained, intervening. It has been a long journey and an unusual one. When we moved to Alexandria, it was not across a great ocean. Her thoughts continued, ‘and we were in the same country. The only one any of us ever knew.’

All will be well, Abigail, Mary, Simon reassured them, hoping his words were true.

Elisheva started to protest; she was reacting to Mary’s mood, and she was hungry and tired after a restless night.

Ah, here are the carts, Abigail soothed her mother, and there are two."

The clopping of the donkeys’ hooves distracted Elisheva as Doran and Judah arrived with the carts.

No, Elisheva, cautioned Mary as she struggled to restrain the child from wriggling out of her arms.

The little girl opened her mouth and wailed, loudly.

That is a horrible noise for a pretty girl to make, Simon said, smiling down at his granddaughter.

Elisheva stopped and stared at her grandfather, her round brown eyes showing no sign of tears,

Look, Elisheva. Here come your Abba and the sailors with everything you brought from Egypt, Simon said.

Leaning over her grandmother’s shoulder, Elisheva saw her father, pointed and called, Abba!

Simon smiled at Abigail. He had suggested she teach her daughter to say ‘Abba’ rather than the Egyptian ‘Aiutu’ since she would be living in Ephesus but had been unsure Elazar would accept the change.

Abigail smiled back, gave a small nod recognizing his approval, and then turned to watch as Doran and Judah brought the carts to a halt nearby.

Briefly, Simon introduced Elazar’s family to Doran and Judah. We have all been living together in Alexandria, Elazar excitedly told his brother.

We will come to know one another a little better on the journey, Simon said as he looked around at the bustle and commotion on the wharf. Judah, how do you want to divide the belongings between the carts?

Which of you has the least goods? Judah asked.

I have, son, Simon replied. Elazar and his family have more because they have personal possessions plus a stock of quality Egyptian linen to start their business.

Judah wished he had known about this seeming movement of his brother and family. He sighed, resigning himself to the fact the journey would take longer than planned. He told his father, Doran will take Elazar’s goods, Judah said. I will take the papyrus for my shop and anything you have brought with you.

Thank you, son.

Judah added, We will have to buy cushions and coverings for the journey. The women and the child will travel in my cart since it will have the least load.

I know which bale has our household goods in it, Abigail spoke up. We can use our own cushions and material. Do we have far to travel?

Unfortunately, yes. Because our harbor at Ephesus is silted up, this is the nearest port where a large ship can safely unload, Judah replied.

Similar to Pelusium, and why we now ship from Alexandria, Simon said.

Doran and I planned that we would stay one or two nights with families on the way. They are members of our faith. We met them on the way down.

But you did not expect to be taking us, Abigail said, forthright as ever. Then she winced, she had told herself that she needed to change her direct way of speaking.

No, that is true, we did not expect you, Judah admitted. "When we came here, we started out