BIBLE IN TEN

Acts 13:18

Thursday, 29 December 2022
 
“Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. Acts 13:18
 
In the preceding verses, Paul was asked to address the synagogue they were visiting. He agreed and immediately began speaking about the history of Israel. In the previous verse he noted their being brought out of Egypt by the Lord. Now, he turns to a sad, but continuously repeated part of their history, that of burdening the Lord, beginning with, “Now for a time of about forty years.”
 
It is referring to the time in the wilderness when Israel almost constantly complained and rebelled against the Lord. Those forty years cover everything from Exodus 12:37 where they began their departure from Egypt until they were set to cross over the Jordan in Joshua 3:14.
 
Paul notes this was about forty years. Some events are precisely dated such as the departure from Sinai after spending about a year in that location (Numbers 10:11). Other events are recorded without specific dating, but even then very exacting inferences can be made. The account of this period is carefully and methodically detailed in Scripture. One central theme of the entire period is that “He put up with their ways in the wilderness.”
 
Here is a word found only once in Scripture, tropophoreó. It signifies enduring or putting up with, and thus to bear their ways. It comes from tropos, signifying a manner or way, and phoreó, signifying “to have a burden, i.e. (by analogy) to wear as clothing or a constant accompaniment -- bear, wear” (Strong’s).
 
Of this word, Ellicott notes, “The Greek word so rendered differs by a single letter only from one which signifies “to nurse, to carry, as a father carries his child.” Many of the better MSS. versions and early writers give the latter reading, and it obviously falls in far better with the conciliatory drift of St. Paul’s teaching than one which implied reproach. The word is found in the Greek of Deuteronomy 1:31 (“bare thee, as a man doth bear his son”), where also some MSS. give the other word, and suggests the inference, already mentioned, that this chapter, as well as Isaiah 1, had been read as one of the lessons for the day.”
 
Other scholars mention this as well. Barnes says, “It is furthermore not probable that Paul would have commenced a discourse by reminding them of the obstinacy and wickedness of the nation. Such a course would rather tend to exasperate than to conciliate; but by reminding them of the mercies of God to them, and showing them that He had been their protector, he was better fitting them for his main purpose - that of showing them the kindness of the God of their fathers in sending to them a Saviour.”
 
Rather, this is exactly what Paul is doing. Moses, after almost forty years, noted to the people that they had been borne by the Lord despite their rebellion. He went on in Deuteronomy to carefully detail Israel’s future rejection of the Lord and the punishments they would suffer because of it. Paul is not attempting to conciliate. Nor is he attempting to exasperate. He is simply laying out the facts that Israel, to this day, refuses to acknowledge. He will carefully and methodically follow this line of thought until he concludes.
 
It is in the use of this word that Paul is reminding them of their constant turning from Moses and from the Lord who chose Moses to lead them. It is a theme he will weave into his words, demonstrating that they have repetitively done the wrong thing in relation to the Lord’s will. As such, he is hinting that they are prone to do the wrong thing now and turn from the offering of the Lord Jesus as their Messiah.
 
Life application: The history of Israel is a snapshot of our own lives before the Lord. We have strayed from Him, we have done wrong and turned away, and yet the Lord is ever faithful to keep His covenant. Despite being under the curses of the Old Covenant, the Lord has maintained Israel to this day, just as He promised.
 
While they have been unfaithful, He remains faithful. The theology that says that God is through with Israel and that the church has replaced them is a failed theology because it looks at what is happening from a human perspective. The sense is, “Israel failed, they rejected the Lord, and He has rejected them. They got just what they deserve.” If this was true, it would mean that His word cannot be trusted because He covenanted with them and spoke out promises that would have then failed.
 
It is from this perverse thinking that one would then say, “Israel was rejected by the Lord, and so we too can lose our salvation.” That puts the onus, the responsibility, and the work on us, not on God who has sent Jesus. If a person can lose his salvation, at any time after being saved, then he was never truly saved. God simply gave them an offer of eternal insecurity and essentially said, “Work hard, maybe you will make it. It is, after all, up to you to do so.”
 
This is a complete misunderstanding or twisting of numerous points of theology in order to make “self” the central message of salvation. It is a shunning of the full, final, and forever work of Jesus on the cross, and it is to be rejected. When God speaks out salvation, it is an eternal decree. God cannot lie. He has spoken. Israel the nation has been kept for its own day of salvation, and if you have called on Jesus, you have been saved for your day of glorification – despite yourself.
 
Glorious Heavenly Father, how can we be so perverse as to think that what You offer by grace is up to us to merit once it has been bestowed? Help us to think clearly about what You have done and to consider the eternal nature of what You have decreed. And then, Lord, help us to hold fast to this and rejoice in what You have done, are doing, and will continue to do in our lives. Great are you, O God. Amen.
 

Acts 13:17

Wednesday, 28 December 2022
 
“The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. Acts 13:17
 
Paul had just given his opening greetings to those gathered in the synagogue. With that complete, he now begins his discourse on what was read in the law and the prophets, beginning with, “The God of this people Israel.”
 
Paul immediately identifies his thoughts with the God of Israel. Everything he says will be in accord with that. This is important because when he proclaims Jesus later in verse 23, his words will be in line with what was presented already in Scripture by their God. It would make no sense for Paul to come in and start talking about Krishna. Nor would it make any sense to begin with the God of Israel, but then proclaim Him in a manner that is not in accord with Scripture.
 
Therefore, Paul begins by acknowledging the God of Israel, and then he will continue speaking about things that are in accord with the Scriptures that testify to their God. This is seen in his next words. The God of Israel “chose our fathers.”
 
Paul gives a brief summary of the history of the establishment of Israel as a people. This is similar to the approach that Stephen took in Acts 7. As both men were being guided by the Spirit in their utterances, it shows that this is an important way of communicating the gospel to the Jewish people. To take them back in their own history and to then weave together events that ultimately point to Christ is a sound method of proving the truth of Jesus as being their Messiah.
 
In this case, the choosing of the fathers is certainly referring to the call of Abraham, the selection of Isaac over Ishmael as the son of promise, and the continued defining of the line as being through Jacob and not Esau. From there, history continued with Israel sojourning in Egypt.
 
Any Jew would be intimately familiar with these things and their minds would fill in all of the unstated blanks as Paul continued. It is next from the time in Egypt that Paul continues, saying, “and exalted the people.”
 
Immediately, the mind of his audience would skip to the time of affliction while in Egypt. Joseph died and another ruler came up who treated them harshly and with cruelty. It is during this time that God promised he would attend to their plight and give them the relief He had promised would come. That promise was made centuries earlier at the time of Abraham. This was “when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt.”
 
The thought of the promise made by the Lord to Abraham would come right into the minds of those hearing Paul speak –
 
“Then He said to Abram: ‘Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.’” Genesis 15:13, 14
 
This is the time that Paul is referring to in his words to the people. And at that set time, known already to the Lord, he then exalted the people, “and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.”
 
Using anthropomorphism, Paul’s words speak of the power of the Lord. It is as if the arm of the Lord was used to brush aside every obstacle that stood in their way as they were safely brought forth behind them. This was promised before the Exodus by the Lord –
 
“Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.’” Exodus 6:6
 
Paul is taking Israel’s own history, a history carefully recorded in their sacred writings, and he is using them to tie their history into what was to come in Christ Jesus.
 
Life application: Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to follow the same God as that presented in Scripture, using those Scriptures and claiming His name to proclaim their religion. But, as stated above, it makes no sense to claim to follow the God of Israel (Jehovah), but then proclaim Him in a manner that is not in accord with Scripture.
 
The God of Israel is the One who led the people out of Egypt with an outstretched arm. He did it personally, accomplishing everything necessary to save the people. No other god was with Him in His exalted work –
 
“So the Lord alone led him,And there was no foreign god with him.” Deuteronomy 32:12
 
Acknowledging that their redemption was the work of the Lord alone is seen again and again in Scripture. The same is true with the coming salvation of the people through Christ. The Lord promises that He alone will bring it about –
 
“I, even I, am the Lord,And besides Me there is no savior.” Isaiah 44:1
 
Again, this thought is expressed again and again in Scripture. The Lord alone will accomplish the work. And then, according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, He creates a being who does all the work for Him. It is both illogical and it is perverse. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the only possible fulfillment of these types, pictures, patterns, and prophecies.
 
The Lord God of Israel came in human flesh and accomplished the work for His people. But the only way one can be certain of this and not be led astray by falsity is to check these things out. And the only place where one can do that is in the word.
 
As this is so, there are two possibilities to getting this right: 1) learn after something is heard, or 2) know what is right before a claim is made. Either way, the place to learn whether a claim is true or not is Scripture.
 
As this is so, it is best to at least be familiar with the Bible in advance. Then when something complicated comes up, it will be easier to begin a more in-depth study. Hence, you are implored to read your Bible daily, check out claims that are made concerning it, and hold fast to that which is clearly presented by the Lord.
 
Lord God, thank You that we have access to the word that tells us of You and of Your great workings in human history on our behalf. We can know what is right and what is wrong by simply checking things out. So, Lord, give us wisdom to do just that. Help us to be responsible in our lives in this manner. To Your glory, we pray, Amen.

Acts 13:16

Tuesday, 27 December 2022
 
Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: Acts 13:16
 
Note, the NKJV does not give the proper sense of the verbs. Instead, it more precisely reads, “And Paul, having risen, and having motioned with his hand, said, ‘Men, Israelites, and those fearing God, hearken:’” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, the rulers of the synagogue had read from the Law and Prophets. Once complete, they addressed Paul and his companions asking if they had any exhortation for the people. With that, it now says, “And Paul, having risen.”
 
Luke, in his customary way of using participles to show the process of movement as it occurred, indicates that Paul is the one to respond to the address of the rulers. In arising, he is assuming the position for providing instruction as requested. With that, Luke continues, saying, “and having motioned with his hand.”
 
It is the same word used concerning Peter in Acts 12:17, kataseió. It means to shake the hand up and down to attract attention as if signaling. In this case, Paul is alerting the people that he is not simply getting up to stretch or to go out for some fresh air. He is indicating that he is happy to accommodate and bring a word to those in attendance. He motioned with his hand and then “said, ‘Men, Israelites.’”
 
It is the same opening made by Peter in his first major discourse in Acts 2:22. It has been seen two more times since then. It is a fraternal address between Israelites asking for attention to what will then be said. With that, Paul also says, “and those fearing God.”
 
These are not proselytes who had been circumcised and reckoned among Israel. Instead, they are known as proselytes of the gate. It expresses those who were interested in the teachings of Israel and had come to respect and fear the God of Israel, giving up on their own pagan ways in part or in whole. To those gathered, Paul next says, “hearken:”
 
It is the common word akouó, which is easily identified as the etymological root of our word “acoustics.” It signifies to hear. In this case, the verb is imperative. As such, “hearken” gives the proper sense. “I have words to convey, ‘Listen up!’”
 
Life application: Not all are skilled in oration and speaking in front of a lot of people can be intimidating, but it is not impossible. If you are asked to speak to others and are a bit reticent to do so, a quick prayer under your breath to the Lord asking for His peace is a good place to start. Also, confidence in your knowledge of the subject to be conveyed is a plus.
 
Therefore, don’t speak beyond what you know. Just stick with the most important points and maintain a light, happy attitude. This can be practiced. Using a mirror is a good way of getting comfortable with speaking.
 
Even if you are never asked to speak publicly, you still should be ready to convey the gospel to those you encounter. You may be the only person who ever takes the opportunity to do so.
Finally, as one last fallback, you can always hand out tracts. “I have something to share with you and this can convey it better than I can. Please take the time to read it.”
 
In the end, be prepared to share the gospel in some manner. You may be the one person who can make an eternity-changing moment in a person’s life.
 
Lord God, may we not be too timid to share the wonderful news of Jesus. Help us in this. Others have taken the time to share it with us, and this has gone on since the beginning of the church. May we be a responsible part of that unbroken line of faithful people who have carried the good news about Jesus to the world. Amen.
 

Acts 13:15

Monday, 26 December 2022
 
And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Acts 13:15
 
In the previous verse, Paul and those with him had gone into the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia on the Sabbath day and sat down. Now the narrative continues, saying, “And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets.”
 
Of these words, Ellicott brilliantly brings the narrative to life, not only explaining the meaning of the words before us but of the words of the coming verses –
 
“After the reading of the law and the prophets.—The order of the Sabbath lessons was fixed as by a kind of calendar, the Law—i.e., the Pentateuch—being divided into fifty-three or fifty-four paraschioth, or sections. These, probably, came into use soon after the return from Babylon. To these were afterwards added special lessons, known technically as the Haphtaroth, from the prophets. We are enabled, by two curious coincidences, to fix, with very little uncertainty, the precise Sabbath on which the mission-work at Antioch opened. The opening words of St. Paul refer to Deuteronomy 1:31 (see Note on Acts 13:18) and this was the lesson for the forty-fourth Sabbath in the year, which fell in July or August; the corresponding second lesson from the prophets being Isaiah 1:1-27, from which he also quotes. He starts, as was natural, from what the people had just been listening to, as the text of his discourse.”
 
The reading of the Law and Prophets is still read in this manner. Once it was read, it next says, “the rulers of the synagogue sent to them.”
 
This is specifically referring to Paul and his associates. It is probable that these rulers had become aware that Paul was a Pharisee, trained in Scripture. Barnabas was a Levite. As such, the rulers would be interested in spoken comments from one of them on what had just been read. Another possibility is noted by Ellicott –
 
“The elders apparently saw strangers taking the position of teachers, probably in the garb of Rabbis, and it belonged to their office to offer such persons an opportunity of addressing the people.”
Either way, whether through earlier introduction or by their choice of seating within the synagogue, it was alerted to them that they were men skilled in the law. That is indicated in the next words, “saying, ‘Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.’”
 
The Greek is in the imperative – “Speak!” It is a complete allowance and a firm suggestion for them to feel free to discuss what was read and to give any insights they had. The words of response will begin in the next verse and will continue until verse 41. In his words, Paul will clearly explain the coming of the Messiah, what his mission was, and how that then ties into justification before God apart from the Law of Moses.
 
Life application: Suppose you were to have one chance to talk to a Jewish believer about Jesus being the Messiah, would you be able to do so? What if you were asked about a particular part of Scripture that he was curious about? Remembering that the Jews who are not believers in Jesus do not hold to the New Testament, could you satisfactorily explain the passage and how it anticipates Him?
 
It is obviously impossible to ignore the New Testament when explaining how Jesus fits into the Old Testament passage because the New Testament is what explains who Jesus is and the things He did, but there must be a connection to the Old Testament’s relevance concerning Him for the curious Jew to logically put the two together.
 
But this cannot be done if you are not familiar with the Old Testament. Therefore, be sure to read it and think about it. Ask yourself, “How does this point to Jesus.” Someday, you may be just the person who is able to satisfactorily show a Jew how Jesus is the fulfillment of Scripture. Be ready with a response! Know the Old Testament as well as the New!
 
Lord God, give us the strong desire to know Your word and to be ready at all times to share it with others. We may not have all the answers, but we can at least be prepared enough to get them headed in the right direction. Give us the desire to know Your word more each day. May we be prepared for such times, O God. Amen.

Acts 13:14

Sunday, 25 December 2022
 
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. Acts 13:14
 
The previous verse spoke of Paul and those with him going to Perga. At that time John departed from them. Now, it continues, saying, “But when they departed from Perga.”
 
More literally, it reads, “And they, having passed through from Perga.” In other words, it is speaking of the area that is traversed between Perga and the next location. They left Perga, traveled through the land and “they came to Antioch in Pisidia.” Rather, it should read Antioch of Pisidia. Albert Barnes explains the place and the reason, saying –
 
“Pisidia was a province of Asia Minor, and was situated north of Pamphylia. Antioch was not in Pisidia, but within the limits of Phrygia; but it belonged to Pisidia, and was called Antioch of Pisidia to distinguish it from Antioch in Syria - Pliny, Nat. Hist., 5, 27; Strabo, 12, p. 577 (Kuinoel; Robinson's Calmet). The city was built by Seleucus, the founder of the Antioch in Syria, and was called after the name of his father, Antiochus. He is said to have built 16 cities of that name ("Life and Epistles of Paul," vol. 1, p. 122).”
 
This area was inland to the north of Pamphylia and Antioch lay at the very northern end of it. Of this area, Cambridge makes an interesting comment –
 
“Dean Howson (Life and Epistles of St Paul, i. 175) suggests that it was perhaps in this journey that St Paul and his companion were exposed to those ‘perils of robbers’ of which he speaks 2 Corinthians 11:26. Pisidia was a mountainous district rising gradually towards the north, and the quotations given by Dr Howson from Xenophon and Strabo shew that there was a great deal of brigand-like life there even in these times, from which Paul and his company may have been in danger.”
 
Once they arrived in Antioch, it next notes, “and went into the synagogue.” Again, an aorist participle is used, “and having gone into the synagogue.” Each step is detailed methodically by Luke to give the sense of the journey’s motion for the reader to join in. Once in Antioch and having gone into the synagogue, it next records that it was “on the Sabbath day.”
 
The words in Greek more precisely state, “on the day of the Sabbaths.” This is what Paul refers to in Colossians 2 when arguing against observing Sabbath days and other things fulfilled through the work of Christ –
 
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” Colossians 2:16, 17
 
It is a way of designating the day as the Sabbath as a recurring Feast of the Lord (see Leviticus 23:2). Now, having arrived at the synagogue and entered it on this feast day, it says they “sat down.” Like going into a church, the people would go in, sit and await the word from the leader of the synagogue or whoever was designated to begin conducting the Sabbath affairs.
 
Life application: As noted above, Paul clearly argues against the observance of sabbaths in Colossians 2. The entire passage there refers to the work of Christ ending the Law of Moses. The words hinge especially on verse 2:14 when speaking of the abolishment of the law –
 
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13, 14
 
The words “having wiped out the requirements” is speaking of the Law of Moses. To wipe out something indicates its removal, like chalk on a chalkboard. To take something out of the way means it was an obstruction that has now been removed. And the metaphor “having nailed it to the cross” specifically speaks of the death of Jesus Christ, the embodiment of the law. In His death, the law is abolished (see also Ephesians 2:15).
 
The reason for this detail is that people will argue that the word “sabbaths” in Colossians 2:16 is not referring to the weekly Sabbath. This is entirely incorrect. It is, as noted in the commentary above, the plural term used to speak of the fifty-two weekly Sabbaths. The same plural terminology is found in the Old Testament concerning the weekly Sabbath over 100 times.
 
Exodus 31:31 for example, while speaking of the weekly Sabbaths, refers to them in the plural. The Sabbath is fulfilled in Christ. Hebrews 4:3 says that we rest in Him now. Therefore, a Christian is to not let anyone judge him for not observing a Sabbath Day.
 
As a point of doctrine: There is no such thing as a Sunday Sabbath. The Sabbath is a Saturday, and only a Saturday. Christian tradition eventually started to claim that worshiping on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) had replaced the Saturday Sabbath. The claim is that this day of worship was now the “Sunday Sabbath.” This is incorrect. There is one Sabbath, and it is a Saturday. It is fulfilled in Christ. He is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:3).
As such, don’t allow anyone to pull a fast one on you and steal the prize from you. Rest in Christ, trust in Christ, and stay away from law observance, including the Sabbath day observance.
 
Lord God, help us to accept Your word as it teaches us its progressively revealed truths. We are free from the law, we are free from the bondage it imposes on us, and we are at liberty in Christ who has accomplished all things for us. Now, help us to be obedient to faithfully follow You through the New Covenant that came at such a high cost. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Acts 13:13

Saturday, 24 December 2022
 
Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13
 
The NKJV is not in accord with the Greek. Instead, the BLB translation will be used –
 
“And those around Paul, having sailed from Paphos, came to Perga of Pamphylia. But John, having departed from them, returned to Jerusalem.”
 
The last verse indicated that the proconsul believed the word concerning Jesus. He was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. With that matter now complete, the narrative continues, saying, “And those around Paul.”
 
This is a new way of referring to those on the missionary journey. Saying “around” is a way of designating a person as the main figure in the narrative. Until now, Barnabas has been mentioned first. Now, Paul begins to take the lead role. Barnabas will be mentioned first again twice in chapter 14, but the overall focus of the events will now be on Paul’s ministry before the Lord. Hence, Luke places Paul first here. As such, the narrative continues with, “having sailed from Paphos.”
 
This is the location where Sergius Paulus was as noted in verse 13:6. Having crossed the entire island of Cyprus, they departed from this final city and “came to Perga of Pamphylia.”
 
This is an area north and a bit west of Paphos on the mainland. Today, it is the area of Antalya, Turkey. Albert Barnes describes the location –
 
“Pamphylia was a province of Asia Minor, lying over against Cyprus, having Cilicia east, Lycia west, Pisidia north, and the Mediterranean south. Perga was the metropolis of Pamphylia, and was situated, not on the seacoast, but on the river Cestus, at some distance from its mouth. There was on a mountain near it a celebrated temple of Diana.”
 
There is no record of evangelism in Perga at this time, but they will preach there in chapter 14. For now, and with no reason being given, it next says, “But John, having departed from them, returned to Jerusalem.”
 
This departure was unexpected and, to Paul, inexcusable. That can be inferred from Acts 15 –
 
“Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.” Acts 15:37, 38
 
As such, it is not as if John had received news of a death and needed to return home. Rather, something caused him to no longer want to be with the company as it traveled. It could be that he missed home, it could be that the pace the others kept up was too much for him, etc.
 
Looking at the surrounding text, the only things that may provide a clue are:
 
1) The conversion of Sergius Paulus, a Gentile. John may not have liked this. Adding credence to that would be the changing of Paul’s name from Saul. John is also called Mark and many others had names that accommodated the people of the nations, but Paul’s name was taken directly from his encounter with a Gentile.
 
2) Paul has taken the central role in the events, at least according to Luke’s record.
 
If only these events from the text are considered, it would be enough to assume that either John did not like the prospect of evangelizing Gentiles, or he was jealous that Paul had now taken the lead in the party over his own cousin. For one of these reasons, or for some reason that is not elsewhere hinted at, he forsook the company and returned to Jerusalem.
 
Life application: It is believed that John (Mark) is the same person Paul will later refer to in 1 Timothy 4:11, where he says, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.” If this is the same person, it shows that there was eventually a reconciliation between the two.
 
If, as speculated, John didn’t like the thought of evangelizing Gentiles, he eventually outgrew that. Even if this was not the reason for his departure, it is still a truth that the Jewish believers had to accept. The message of salvation was not limited to them. The scriptural promises of Israel being the head of the nations probably seemed more confusing than ever. How would that come about if the Gentiles were evangelized?
 
Change can be a difficult thing. It is something that we will often fight against or run away from. But time eventually discloses that despite our protestations, what we initially want may not be what is going to come about. With that understanding, we can then yield to the events and begin to accept them and even participate in them.
 
Wars decide new borders. Elections decide changes in government. Economic changes determine what companies will flourish and which will flop. We have to accommodate ourselves to these types of things and learn to become productive parts of them. If we don’t, we will simply be harming ourselves. Such events come to pass and there is no point in having a pity party when they do. Change is a part of life that we must accept. And as long as we do so while honoring the Lord with our lives, we will be living responsibly in those new environments.
 
Heavenly Father, we are often overwhelmed with change and find it hard to process. This is especially so when our lives are negatively affected. Give us wisdom and maturity to accept things that occur and help us to be productive and prosperous in our new surroundings. Yes, be with us Lord God as we cling to You through such times. Amen.

Doctrine of the Incarnation of Christ - Christmas Special 2022

Sunday 25th December 2022
 
Exploring topological typologies of Christ’s Incarnation at Christmas!
 
Rivers of Tears Flow from My Eyes Because They Will Not Keep Your Word    Psalm 119:136
 
The Doctrine (or teaching) of Salvation is revealed clearly within the Bible but it is also legitimate to find revelation of it through the Creation, confirmed by the opening chapter of Romans verse 16 to 21:
 
16 I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power God uses to save everyone who believes—to save the Jews first, and then to save the non-Jews. 17 The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself. God’s way of making people right with him begins and ends with faith. As the Scripture says, “The person who is made right with God by faith will live forever.”
 
Faith means believing in something unseen, in the Bible it has the same word meaning as believe or trust.
 
18 God’s anger is shown from heaven against all the evil and wrong things that people do. By their own evil lives they hide the truth. 19 God shows his anger because everything that may be known about God has been made clear. Yes, God has clearly shown them everything that may be known about him. 20 There are things about God that people cannot see—his eternal power and all the things that make him God. But since the beginning of the world those things have been easy to understand. They are made clear by what God has made. So people have no excuse for the bad things they do. 21 
 
Thus the Word of God tells us that God has clearly shown us everything that may be known about him within the Word and without.   There are things about God that people cannot see,  but since the beginning of the world those things have been easy to understand.  They are made clear by what God has made.
 
The Bible teaches that God has made the world and everything in it, in such a way as to reveal things about Him.  God has created the world and done so like an artist or sculpture would do, leaving his signature or fingerprints on it for us to clearly see.  
 
In this episode, we will look at how the mountains, rivers and seas in the Jordan Valley provide some fascinating pictures which glorify God and support teachings found throughout His Word. 
 
Many thanks to Charlie Garrett whose analysis was the spark to light this work and further insight provided by other contributors to the body of Christ at the Superior Word church whilst studying the book of Joshua.  Thanks to Nikki Higgins for her fellowship and love including thoughtful discussion on the apologetic aspects of this presentation.  Thanks to Elsa Higgins for her observation about the Pre Tribulation rapture pictured by clouds that form before falling as rain on the Mount of Olives.   Thanks to Samuel Higgins for finding the Jordan River in Job 40.    Thanks to Joel Higgins for drawing my attention to the brother who was dead but now is alive.   Thanks to Grace Higgins for her love of the Rivers of Tears song we made up to soothe her when she was crying.
 
Thanks most of all to the Lord Jesus for guiding me through this study and comforting me with the two passages from 2nd Kings on the 8th Dec 22 when I found out the news of my brother's passing.
 
2 Kings 5:14
Elisha sent a messenger to Naaman. The messenger said, “Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. Then your skin will be healed, and you will be clean.”
The Doctrine of the Incarnation of Jesus our Saviour   
 
The Christmas story.  The virgin born Saviour who took on flesh in order to live a perfect life which qualified as sacrificial atonement to be made as payment for the sins of all mankind.   
 
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. 18 He who believes in God’s Son is not judged guilty. He who does not believe has already been judged guilty, because he has not believed in God’s only Son.    (John 3:16-19)
 
It is marvellous that this is illustrated through the Jordan River!   From the origination at Mount Hermon to the termination at the Dead Sea, God has provided a stunning picture to support the Bible narrative of Jesus coming down from Heaven, setting aside his divine attribute to Earth, Dying on the Cross for our sins, being buried and Rising again according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3-4).
 
Please seek to glorify the Lord in your heart as you follow these ten steps and praise our Lord, the Creator God !
 
“One that descends”.    The name "Jordan" means "descender."   Its name comes from the root ‘YARAD,’ to descend.   
 
Paul writes in Philippians 2:
 
“Christ himself was like God in everything. He was equal with God. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be held on to. He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant. And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God. He obeyed even when that caused his death—death on a cross. So God raised Christ to the highest place. God made the name of Christ greater than every other name. God wants every knee to bow to Jesus— everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Everyone will say, “Jesus Christ is Lord” and bring glory to God the Father.    (Philippians 2:5-11)
 
The name of the majestic mountain which is the source for the Jordan River is Mount Hermon .  in the (Hebrew it is Chermon Phonetic Spelling: (kher-mone')  "sacred (mountain)"  
 
In one place it is called Chermonim (Psalm 42:6) using the Hebrew plural ending as seen in the word Elohim which means God but has a plurality distinct from El.     Mount Hermon has three roughly equal sized summits, situated like the angles of a triangle, and equidistant about a quarter of a mile from each other. Hopefully you can imagine how this symbolises the Holy Trinity - three equal persons of God sharing one essence.   God The Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.   
 
It is on this mountain that the scholars at Bible.org believe the transfiguration event occurred.  The transfiguration is a biblical event that appears in each of the Gospel books as an important moment in the life of Jesus and evidence of his divinity. After Jesus performs a series of miracles and foretells His own death, Jesus leads exactly three of his disciples, to Hermon and his appearance was radiantly transformed.  
 
In Mark Chapter 9 we read:
While these followers watched, Jesus was changed. 3 His clothes became shining white, whiter than any person could make them. 4 Then two men appeared, talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah  (Mark 9:3-4)
 
 Then a cloud came and covered them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, “This is my Son, and I love him. Obey him!”    (Mark 9:7)
 
 Jesus revealed his divine being.
 
Some rivers begin in mountains or hills, where rain water or snowmelt collects and forms small channels.   Some rivers begin where a natural spring releases water from underground. The Jordan River has three principal sources, all of which rise at the foot of Mount Hermon.  As the water springs up having descended from the holy place,  a picture of the virgin birth of Christ can be imagined. Isaiah 12:3 “With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation.”
As the river flows into Galilee the river path is quite ordinary picturing the humble early life of Jesus - Can anything good come from Nazareth? 
This changes once the river reaches the sea of Galilee - picturing the extraordinary life which is revealed during his ministry which begins with miracles and teaching around this very place.   
 The change to a zigzag pattern after the Jordan leaves Galilee pictures Jesus’ teaching and miracles across Israel.     The Jordan river zigzags at least 153 miles, although if one is precise one can measure a river bed distance up to infinity - picturing the divine essence of Jesus.   Jesus is God and  Jesus is man.   The God/Man
Jesus Died for Our Sins - this is pictured by water entering the Salt Sea or Dead Sea which cannot support life -  
 
Fish carried in by the Jordan die quickly  - the salt content is way too high for life, being ten times more than the average level of salt in the sea.
Salt has a cleansing property.  The sins of the believers are washed away by the shedding of Jesus’ blood.   Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.
Jesus was Buried (The lowest point on Earth in terms of dry land is the shore of the Dead Sea)   The days between Jesus death and resurrection where the lowest point in the lives of his friends.
39 Nicodemus went with Joseph. Nicodemus was the man who earlier had come to Jesus at night. He brought about 75 pounds of spices. This was a mixture of myrrh and aloes. 40 These two men took Jesus’ body and wrapped it with the spices in pieces of linen cloth. (This is how the Jews bury people.)     John 19:39-42   International Children’s Bible
 
Just as Jesus' body was encased in valuable minerals as it was buried so too the water arriving in the dead sea is sitting above a treasure trove of minerals.   Most Valuable Piece of Land on Earth ( approx 5 trillion dollar ($5,000,000,000,000) chemical and mineral wealth is deposited at  Dead Sea ).   This vast value in some small way pictures the infinite price paid for the sins of potentially all people in the world.   
 
Interesting fact!  The Dead Sea is known for its unique climate and the area has approx 330, (or 33 times 10) sunny days a year and Jesus’ earthly life was 33 years!   
 
Jesus Rose again  -  Water in the Salt Sea evaporates and this pictures the resurrection.  Evaporation is the process by which a liquid turns into a gas. It is also one of the three main steps in the water cycle.    It can be easily visualised when rain puddles “disappear” on a hot day or when wet clothes dry in the sun. In these examples, the liquid water is not actually vanishing—it is evaporating into a gas, called water vapour.
A river crosses two lands, picturing Heaven and Hell.  The Children of Israel had to cross the Jordan River to enter the promised land (amazingly Charlie deduced that this was on the very same day of the first Passover (which in itself pictures Jesus’ innocent personal sacrifice on the cross to pay for our sins and overcome death).   This pictures our need to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s Sacrifice to escape the wilderness / Hell and enter The Promised Land / Heaven 
The very stones and rivers bear testimony,
to that invisible yet wonderful reality.
The water descends so profoundly,
picturing an all encompassing sanctity.
 
The Jordan River springs up at the foot of Hermon,
continuing plainly until it reaches the Galilee.    
Until His teaching ministry has yet begun,
Jesus’ life appears to be quite ordinary. 
 
Now the river leaves Galilee, 
its journey zigzags much more.
Spreading across Israel teaching about the Door,
The Father is revealed for everyone to see!
 
The Jordan River is where Jesus was baptised. 
A voice from Heaven cried out “this is my beloved!”
Yes the Father spoke! “this is My Son in whom I am well pleased”
The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, His ministry was started.    
 
Now when he was at the age of thirty,
Miracles abound around the Sea of Galilee.
The lame walk, the blind see and the dead are no longer affected
Jesus’s offer to Israel of the Kingdom is rejected.
 
Jesus’s first advent and the Jordan River end unexpectedly.
Instead of the river making its way to the ocean 
The water meanders into the Salt or Dead Sea.
God has produced an amazing topography!
  
Water in the sea evaporates under the 330 days of annual sun.
Leaving behind the minerals and salt, which make swimming in it such fun!
Salt has a cleansing property - a metaphor for the believers sins, 
washed away by the shedding of Jesus’ blood, for the remission of our sins.
 
Jesus left the Jordan River filled with the Holy Spirit.   
All believers now benefit from the full dwelling of His Holy Spirit.   
The water in the river symbolises the Spirit work which glorifies the Saviour, 
For the Spirit of God named this typological river, the Descender.
 
Joshua and the Israelites had to cross the Descender 
In doing so the Promised Land they would enter,
We must simply believe in the cross work of Jesus 
In doing so the Promised Land of Heaven we will surely enter!
 
We face a choice, which is free and freely offered.
Please make a one time profession 
Change your eternal destination! 
faith in the Lord Jesus!
 
Change from death to life and be saved! 
Yes, just call upon Him and you WILL be saved!
Overcome death Just as He did!
Simply by faith in just what He did!
 
Choose wisely. 
Choose life! 
Choose God’s offer of forgiveness,
Found in Christ!
2) How wonderful is the Word of God!
 
Humanly speaking, the Bible was written by approximately 40 men and women of diverse backgrounds over the course of 1500 years. Isaiah was a prophet, Ezra was a priest, Matthew was a tax-collector, John was a fisherman, Paul was a tentmaker, Moses was a shepherd, Luke was a physician. Despite being penned by different authors over 15 centuries, the Bible does not contradict itself and does not contain any errors.
 
The doctrine of the incarnation is referenced explicitly or implicitly by type or picture by all these writers.   God declares that His Creation will also reveal his invisible attributes which are clearly seen.   The metaphor of the Jordan River is astonishing yet is not alluded to by the writers, some of whom may not have even made the allegorical link.  
 
As well as the Incarnation the following doctrines are pictured in and around the Jordan River:
The Doctrine of the Sealing of the Holy SpiritThe Dead Sea is the only place on earth where you can sunbathe for long periods with little or no sunburn because harmful ultraviolet rays are filtered through an extra thick atmospheric layer which contains evaporated water particles from the Dead Sea.
The Doctrine of Eternal Salvation - in Joshua 3, the Children of Israel cross the river on dry land, the waters then resume to their natural level and there is no way to cross back in the same way.
The Doctrine of the Trinity  - Hermon means Sacred - three equal height, equidistant mountain caps arranged in a triangle formation.  
The Doctrine of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit  - in the way the water level falls at a place called Adam and is restored when the Ark picturing Christ’s priestly work is pictured.
The Doctrine of the 2nd Coming of Christ after the Rapture -  God has provided a living breathing Bible Eschatological Map!   Water enters dead sea 15.3 miles due East of Mount of Olives.   Some water evaporates and forms clouds (picturing the saints rescued in the pre tribulation rapture), some water is left behind and remains in the Dead Sea signifying those heading into the tribulation period.     
The doctrine of the Kingdom Inauguration - The dead sea comes alive, signifying all Israel being saved Zech 12-14; Rom 11 (Israelogy - helps refutes Replacement Theology?)
The doctrine of the first week of Creation - The river visits a place called Adam, and ends in death when Adam disobeys God leading to the Curse  (Fish dying as they reach the Dead Sea)
The Sovereignty of God over His Creation (implied from all the above).  God created the water cycle in such a way that it serves as a continuous model which at the Jordan River pictures the death burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Either God has created the Geography of Israel to support key doctrines of the Bible or the writers of the Bible studied the geography and water cycle in and around the Jordan Valley in order to weave a story which was inspired by the Jordan River, yet did so without seeking barely any credit for their ingenuity!
 
The only verse hinting at the powerful significance of the Jordan River compared to all over rivers was found by Samuel Higgins in Job 40.
 
If the river floods, he will not be afraid.
    He is not afraid even if the Jordan River rushes to his mouth.     Job 40:23
 
It is interesting that this is in the oldest book of the Bible, yet no other Bible authors make such a reference to the Jordan as far as I can find.   The pictures found in the Jordan river are not lying on the surface but have been left just under it for us to discover..   It is incredible that we are being blessed to know this now!
 
So the non believer has a choice to make. If the Bible was written without God the authors took this innocuous reference in the first book and then proceeded to weave the Jesus story ever more complex, without contradiction and yet consistent to the geography of the Jordan River  OR the almighty God made this to glorify Himself OR the connection is just a coincidence.   God graciously leaves the philosophical possibility of a coincidence open to us since it is not an understanding of evidence which pleases God it is faith alone.
We all need to simply have faith or trust or belief in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.  Have you put your trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins? Nothing can compare to the water that Christ offers us.
 
Let us close now by understanding how we can receive the forgiveness of God by believing the Gospel.  Salvation by Grace alone through Faith alone.
 
Grace is undeserved love.
Faith or Belief is the act of trusting in something without seeing.
 
 Ephesians 2 8-9 
8 … you have been saved by grace because you believe. You did not save yourselves. It was a gift from God. 9 You cannot brag that you are saved by the work you have done.
 
We are saved only by believing in what Jesus did for us!
 
Any person regardless of swimming ability can exercise faith that they would not drown in the Salt Sea and they would float without any effort.   Undeserved floating instead of drowning as would occur in any other body of water on the planet.   The Doctrine of Salvation by Grace through Believing is pictured at the Dead Sea where the Descender dies.
 
The default position of man is one under condemnation (because of Adam’s sin).   We all deserve to die because of participation in a world of sin, but there is only one place we can be to avoid this penalty.      The message of the Gospel is exclusive and non negotiable.  Jesus is the way the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him.
 “. . . for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23)
Closing Verse:
 
2 Kings 5:14
14 So Naaman went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times. He did just as Elisha had said. Then Naaman’s skin became new again. It was like the skin of a little boy. And Naaman was clean!
Thank you Uncle Charlie’s for your excellent sermons at SuperiorWord.org.  We learned that the water flow in and out of the Jordan river can be examined alongside the Bible record to highlight many important features of the Incarnation of the Second person of the Trinity, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the God/Man.   
 
RIVERS OF TEARS FLOW THROUGH MY EYES BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT KEEP YOU WORD!    Ps 119  --  
 
Praise the Lord for he has provided us with a teaching model within the very place in His created world in which the Bible story unfolds.  This wonderfully reaffirms His Salvation plan through the Person of Jesus Christ. 
 
Hallelujah and Amen
 

Acts 13:12

Friday, 23 December 2022
 
Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:12
 
In the previous verse, a dark mist fell on Elymas and he wasn’t able to lead himself any longer. Now, it will explain the reaction to what occurred. The structure of the NKJV deviates too much from the structure of the Greek. It should more rightly read, “Then the proconsul having seen what had been done, did believe, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord” (CG).
 
Therefore, we begin with, “Then the proconsul.” This is Sergius Paulus, introduced in verse 13:7. He has been described as an intelligent man. Despite that, he had been led astray into the false doctrine of Elymas. Now that Elymas has been overwhelmed by the power of God, his intelligence can be properly directed. And so, the narrative continues with, “having seen what had been done.”
 
It is obvious that the differences in opinion about the proper ways of the Lord were argued right in the presence of Sergius Paulus. Hence, the blinding of Elymas demonstrated an immediate eyewitness event to the fact that Elymas was not at all what he claimed to be and that his doctrine was false. 
 
Further, it was verifiable proof that the power of God was to be found in the message of the gospel. As such, he “did believe.”
 
The verb is a perfect participle meaning 1) it is a completed action and 2) its results continue to the present. His faith in the gospel had been settled and he was added to the faith, once and for all time. And this was in conjunction with his “being astonished.” 
 
He had seen the verifiable proof of Paul’s words with his own eyes and his heart was overwhelmed by it. The word translated as “astonished” is ekpléssó. It is a word signifying to strike out of one’s senses. There is a sense of fear mixed with amazement in the word where one will gape in astonishment. And this astonishment was “at the teaching of the Lord.”
 
Ellicott notes that the use of the genitive case “is, probably, that of the object, the teaching which had the Lord, i.e., the Lord Jesus, as its main theme.” In other words, Paul was doing his job and he was teaching about the Lord Jesus, meaning the gospel. An obvious exclamation to that would be, “Duh, what else would he be doing!” This is what he was called to do.
 
Of this account, the Pulpit Commentary says, “We cannot, perhaps, conclude positively from this that Sergius was baptized and became an avowed Christian, though the usual language of the Acts rather leads us to infer it.” From there, they proceed to cite scholars who adamantly argue why he was not converted and cite some that take the opposing view.
 
The argument is ridiculous. First, it is rather certain based on the renaming of Saul to Paul at this time that the name change is based on the events now recorded. He was Saul and from this point on he is Paul. But more, to argue against the conversion of Sergius Paulus is to argue against the words of Paul in his epistles –
 
First, Paul’s citing of the gospel: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...” 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4
 
Next, he says what happens when that is believed: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
 
Luke records that Sergius Paulus believed. He records it in the perfect tense. And this was “at the teaching of the Lord,” meaning the teaching about the Lord. To argue against the salvation of this man is as ridiculous as using beach sand as an additive to a bowl of ice cream. The purpose of the account is to demonstrate that the gospel was presented, it was presented with power, and the one hearing and seeing believed and was saved.
 
Life application: Sergius Paulus was given a visual demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit in silencing the opposition of Elymas. This should no longer be expected within the church. The reason for this is obvious. The word concerning what occurred has been recorded. Luke sufficiently explains how the early gospel was communicated and about the signs that accompanied it through the hands of the apostles.
 
Now that the apostolic age has ended, and with the completion of Scripture, there is no longer a need for such demonstrations of power. As Paul says elsewhere –
 
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Romans 1:16, 17
 
The word of God carries the power of what it records because it is a true, literal, and accurate account of what it details. It calls for faith in what it proclaims. Having sight, such as seeing what happened to Elymas, does not require faith. Jesus’ words to Thomas show this –
 
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” John 20:29
 
With Scripture’s completion, we are asked to believe what it proclaims. The Spirit has inspired, accounts of Jesus’ miracles as well as the miracles of the apostles. What more do we need? Nothing. What more should we expect? Nothing.
 
Have faith and believe.
 
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your precious word. Help us to be reliable in reading it, reliable in attending Bible studies that explain it, and reliable in attending church that glorifies You through the proclaiming of it. What we do reveals where our priorities lie. May our priorities be centered on Your word first and foremost because Your word tells us of Jesus! Amen.
 

Acts 13:11

Thursday, 22 December 2022
 
“And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Acts 13:11
 
Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, had just verbally come against Elymas. Now, to confirm that his words were those led by the Spirit, he will utter a divine punishment against him. That begins with, “And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you.”
 
The meaning is “the chastisement of the Lord.” Saying “The hand of the Lord” is a device known as anthropomorphism. It is ascribing human traits to the divine working of God. In this case, the word epi, or upon, is used. But the meaning of its use is derived from the context. In this case, it means that the Lord is as a foe to him. The word is used in this manner, for example, in Matthew 10:21 –
 
“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.”
 
This thought is expressed in the Old Testament where the hand of the Lord is upon a person for strengthening and power (such as Ezekiel 1:3), or it is against him indicating disaster is upon him (such as in Psalm 81:14). In the case of Elymas, the obvious meaning is that the Lord’s hand was set as a foe against him. And so, he will now be punished. That is indicated in the next words, “and you shall be blind.”
 
As noted before, the Holy Spirit is speaking through Paul and the punishment He determines is the same as that which came upon Paul when he was made blind for three days (Acts 9:9). So complete was Elymas’ blindness to be that it next says, “not seeing the sun.”
 
One can see a similarity to what occurred with Paul. It says in verse 9:3 that light shone around him from heaven. In verse 22:6, it notes that this great light came about noon. The meaning is that the light from heaven was more radiant than the sun itself. In this, the Lord alerted Paul to the error of his ways, blinding him.
 
Now, the same punishment has come upon Elymas, even if the manner in which it occurred is different. Paul simply spoke out the word to Elymas, but when he did, his words indicate that what occurs is a corrective punishment. This is seen in the continued proclamation, saying, “for a time.”
 
The meaning and intent of this is that the Lord, even in His judgment, has granted mercy. The punishment will not be permanent, and it is – like that of Paul’s blindness – intended to give Elymas the opportunity to view his conduct in a different manner and in hopes of him changing his mind about the life he has been leading. With that understood, it next says, “And immediately a dark mist fell on him.”
 
Rather, it is two separate nouns and more correctly reads, “and fell upon him mist and darkness.” The word translated as “mist” is achlus. It signifies a dimness of sight, as if a cataract. It is found in the writings of various classical poets and authors. At times, it is used metaphorically of a mist of the mind. Exactly what came upon Elymas is uncertain, but its effect was total, and it was also immediate, as it says, “and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.”
 
These words reveal the suddenness and the scope of what occurred. Elymas had sought “to turn the proconsul away from the faith” (13:8). He acted as a guide on the path, leading Sergius Paulus in the direction he determined, but which was contrary to the straight ways of the Lord. Now, God had frustrated his efforts, causing him to be blind and unable to even direct himself. The contrast is stark and ironic.
 
Life application: Within the Bible itself certain claims about it are made in various ways and at various times. One of the most memorable is from Psalm 119:105 –
 
“Your word is a lamp to my feetAnd a light to my path.”
 
The sense is that our lives are like a journey. The way we go and the path we are on is confusing and dark. We cannot truly know if we are taking the right way or not without a guide. Parents teach their children, and the children learn from them. Schools educate young minds and form those minds in various ways. But the Bible alone can light up our path of life to reveal where we should place our spiritual feet. The path becomes knowable because of the words of Scripture.
 
Elymas did not follow the word of the Lord and his walk in life was confused, even if he thought he was walking properly. When the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul, the physical blindness that came upon him was simply a reflection of the spiritual blindness in which he existed. The punishment of the Lord was intended to show him this and bring him to the right path.
 
Nothing is stated as to whether Elymas came to the truth or not, but he was given the opportunity to hear the word and see its effective power spoken forth by Paul. And we too have such an opportunity. We can see the lives changed by the power of the word. Alcoholics become sober. Brawlers become gentle, kind souls. Adulterers find new love and faithfulness in their marriages.
 
These things testify to the power of the word. Let us consider it and cherish it all our days. It truly is the light and the lamp that we need to know the proper place where each step we make should be.
 
Glorious God, we thank You for Your word. It illuminates our path, and it leads us on our trek back to You. May we hold it close in our lives, thinking about it and applying it to our walk every moment. To Your glory, may it be so. Amen.

Acts 13:10

Wednesday, 21 December 2022
 
and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? Acts 13:10
 
In the previous verse, Paul was preparing to speak to Elymas, looking intently at him. With that, it next says, “and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud.”
 
Paul lays into Elymas with heavy words of accusation. Using the word “full” to begin the description is the same way we speak even today. It implies that there is no room for anything except that which a person is full of. In this case, it is first “all deceit.” The word signifies bait. In other words, Elymas used bait to hook his prey and thus deceive. Because of the use of this word, it means that Elymas wasn’t just one who deceives. But more, he is one who intentionally does so. Accompanying that, Paul adds in “all fraud.”
 
This is a word found only here in Scripture, rhadiourgia. The original sense was “ease in doing.” Therefore, it signifies recklessness because the person is always ready to turn and act, whether it is good or bad. In this case, it is in a highly negative way. Fraudulent intention defined his actions at all times. Because of this, Paul – under inspiration of the Spirit – calls out “you son of the devil.”
 
There is no article before “devil” in the original. Hence, he is the son of a devil. Remembering that Elymas is also known as Bar-Jesus, it is an ironic pun. Bar-Jesus means “Son of Salvation,” and yet the Spirit, through Paul, makes a complete and ironic contrast to that saying he is the son of a devil. The word diabolos [devil] is defined by HELPS Word Studies as “literally someone who ‘casts through,’ i.e., making charges that bring down (destroy).” Elymas brings destruction instead of salvation. And more, Paul speaks, saying, “you enemy of all righteousness.”
 
The words are based on the previous descriptions. As Elymas is “full of all deceit and all fraud,” then he can be filled with nothing else. As he is a “son of the devil,” then that is how his character is defined. In other words, in Hebrew thought, the term “son of” defines the nature of a person. In 2 Samuel 12:5, David uses the term, “son of death” to describe someone who has done a despicable thing –
 
“And the anger of David burneth against the man exceedingly, and he saith unto Nathan, 'Jehovah liveth, surely a son of death is the man who is doing this” (YLT). 
 
Likewise, Jesus called Judas a “son of perdition” in John 17:12 –
 
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
 
Using the term “son of” in these cases defines the very nature of the person. Saying that Elymas is a “son of the devil” defines his nature. Today, we would use the term “spawn of a devil,” or “spawn of Satan” to convey the same intent. Or, more specifically, we would say, “Like father, like son.” Because of his completely unholy character, Paul next says, “will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?”
 
It is an obvious reference to Isaiah 40 –
 
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord;Make straight in the desertA highway for our God.4 Every valley shall be exaltedAnd every mountain and hill brought low;The crooked places shall be made straightAnd the rough places smooth;5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,And all flesh shall see it together;For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’” Isaiah 40:3-5
 
John proclaimed the coming Messiah and the straight ways of the Lord. Jesus came and revealed that straight path, but Elymas – by his word – caused those who would seek the Lord’s straight ways to turn from them, as the word diastrephó implies. It signifies to twist or turn thoroughly.
 
Life application: Remembering that Luke specifically said that Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, this tells us that the words of Paul were carefully guided by the Spirit. Every one of them was given to describe the object of them (meaning Elymas) adequately and fully.
 
Today, we have the inspired word of God fully expressed to us in the pages of the Bible. In other words, what is recorded there can be described just as Paul was described – “filled with the Holy Spirit.” As this is so, every word in Scripture is given to tell us exactly what God wants us to see and to know in the areas it refers to. If we want to know what an unrighteous person is like, all we need to do is go to Scripture. If we want to know how the Bible anticipates the coming Messiah, Scripture will tell us.
 
If you want to know if you are pleasing to God or not, you will find out by going to Scripture. In examining it, we can find out if we are pleasing to God in the matter of salvation. Have we trusted the gospel alone, through faith? If so, then we have pleased God for salvation. From there, we can find out if we are pleasing to God in our salvation. Are we living according to what the epistles tell us in that regard? If so, then we will receive rewards. If not, then we will suffer loss, but we will not lose our salvation (1 Corinthians 3:15).
 
The Bible is God’s word to us. Let us consider it at all times and apply it to our walk before the Lord all our days.
 
O, Glorious God, You have breathed out Your word in a way that we can know exactly what to do so that we may be pleasing to You. Give us the wisdom to learn it and live by it all our days. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
 

Isaiah 40:3-5 Children’s Bible Christmas 2022

This is the voice of a man who calls out: “Prepare in the desert the way for the Lord. Make the road in the dry lands straight for our God. Every valley should be raised up. Every mountain and hill should be made flat. The rough ground should be made level. The rugged ground should be made smooth. Then the glory of the Lord will be shown. All people together will see it. The Lord himself said these things.”   
 
Isaiah 40:3-5
 

Acts 13:9

Tuesday, 20 December 2022
 
Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him Acts 13:9
 
The previous verse revealed the opposition of Elymas the sorcerer who was seeking to turn Sergius Paulus away from the faith. With that, it now says, “Then Saul, who also is called Paul.”
 
This is the first time that Saul is called Paul in Scripture. From this point on, it is the only name he will be called by apart from when citing past events in his life. As noted when Sergius Paulus was introduced in Acts 13:7, the name is the same for both. In Greek, it is Paulos. The name means Little. However, it is derived from pauó, signifying cause to cease, stop, finish, etc. Thus, it could refer to “the Stopper.”
 
Abarim Publications takes the similar-sounding Hebrew pa’a along with the connecting letter L (lamed) to form a name that sounds like Paul and defines it as “A Small Whisper That Propagates Into A Roaring Multitude.” Despite the name “Paul” originally being of Latin origin and not connected to the Hebrew, the name provided by Abarim well defines the effect Paul’s works have had on the world at large.
 
What appears to be likely is that the similarity between the name Saul and Paul was close enough that Saul decided to use this name henceforth. As such, it would be a bond of affiliation with Sergius Paulus and a memorial to the first recorded Gentile convert of his.
 
Some commentators disagree with this, noting that it was common for Jews to have two names (as has been seen repeatedly in Acts), but the fact is that he was called Saul up until this point and he is henceforth referred to as Paul.
 
This moment is a definitive moment in the life of Paul and this first recorded Gentile conversion serves as a point on which the Acts narrative clearly turns. That will become more perfectly evident in Acts 13:46, but the conversion of Sergius Paulus sets the tone for the future actions of Paul and his determined evangelization of the Gentiles.
 
As for Paul, it next says he was, “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Rather, it is an aorist participle in the passive voice – “having been filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke is penning the account in a lively manner, showing the sequence of events as they had occurred. In this case, the events caused by Elymas were so distressing that Paul leaned wholly on the guidance of the Spirit. He opened himself up and allowed the Holy Spirit to direct him in what he would do.
 
With that noted, it next says that Paul “looked intently at him.” Rather, this is also an aorist participle, “having looked intently at him.” However, the voice changes from the passive (having been filled) to the active (having looked intently). Having opened himself up to the filling of the Spirit, he then prepares to engage Elymas.
 
Life application: It is a good time to be reminded that the filling of the Holy Spirit is a passive, not an active, occurrence. When Paul says, “be filled with the Spirit” in Ephesians 5:18, it is in the middle voice. This means that the subject (the one being filled) is both an agent of an action and somehow concerned with it.
 
A way to look at this would be for one to step out of the way concerning the matter and let the matter continue without active effort. One might say, “The books he writes sell themselves.” The person has written a marvelous novel, now the novel takes on its own ability to act. In the case of being filled with the Spirit, a person will know the power of God and receive the gospel. That will then lead to the reception of the Spirit.
 
However, in our lives, we may later rely on ourselves to get things done. But when the time comes for the Lord to lead, we step out of the way and allow Him to fill us and take the reins. In the case of the passive voice, such as is recorded with Paul above, he yielded himself and the Spirit filled him.
 
So how do we allow this? We do so through knowing the word, praising God, fellowshipping with others, etc. We have our part in the process. When prepared in this manner, we can then allow the Spirit to fill us and take the helm as we encounter the waves that buffet us. A wine glass will not fill itself. It must stand ready to receive the wine. The filling is externally accomplished. Be ready to receive by being in a position that the reception is possible.
 
Lord God, may we learn to step out of the way and allow Your Spirit to fill us at all times. Help us in this so that we will be vessels properly prepared for the purpose. May we know Your word, be in close fellowship with You, and allow ourselves to be filled with Your Spirit. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.