BIBLE IN TEN

Acts 9:31

Monday, 15 August 2022
 
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Acts 9:31
 
In the last verse, Saul (Paul) was sent out from Caesarea to Tarsus. With him now sent off, the narrative continues with the focus on the immediate area, beginning with, “Then the churches.” Some manuscripts here identify it as one church – “And the church.” Either way, the individual churches form one church as long as they are under Christ, the Head. But the distinction between individual churches is not inappropriate and is seen throughout the rest of the Bible, even into Revelation where Jesus addresses the seven churches.
 
For now, these churches (forming one church) are found “throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria...” The land of Canaan, the original area of Israel’s land grant, is the main area of focus at this time. The words “had peace and were edified” should read “had peace, being edified.”
 
The first verb is imperfect and the second is a present participle. These things were happening, and the time of edification was a part of what resulted in the peace they experienced. Of this word, edified, Charles Ellicott says –
 
“The passage is noticeable for the appearance of the word ‘edified,’ or ‘built up,’ in the sense in which St. Paul had used it (1Corinthians 8:1; 1Corinthians 14:4), as describing orderly and continuous growth, the superstructure raised wisely upon the right foundation.”
 
Along with that, it says, “And walking in the fear of the Lord.” Rather than being a new sentence, these words are a continued part of what brought the state of peace. Along with being edified, the churches were walking in the fear of the Lord. This speaks of a sense of reverent fear of the Lord, not a sense of terror or trembling fear. Just as a child is admonished by his father and he has a sense of respect for him, so the church is built up in the knowledge of the Lord, growing in a sense of respect and humility before Him. With that understood, it next says, “and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.”
 
The word translated as “comfort” signifies “close beside.” Helps Word Studies says it “is used of the Lord directly motivating and inspiring believers to carry out His plan, delivering His particular message to someone else.” The context will decide what is being conveyed, whether it is a warning, an exhortation, an encouragement, etc.
 
In this case, and because it is tied in with edification and fear of the Lord leading to peace, it is probably a mixture of exhortation – meaning the words of the apostles building them up into a fuller knowledge of Christ, and encouragement – meaning a state of feeling secure, confident, and hopeful in the faith that was espoused to all of the believers.
 
In this state, it concludes with, “they were multiplied.” These words certainly mean the number of believers, but it may go beyond that to the state in which the believers existed. A small church that doesn’t have great growth can still be multiplied in knowledge and in their state of blessing. A large church with new members coming in all the time may have a love for the Lord, but may not have the same sense of importance concerning doctrine.
 
In other words, one may be multiplied in doctrine and instruction while the other is multiplied in people filling the seats. The words now do not limit the meaning and it is probable that they were being multiplied in both ways.
 
Life application: If one goes back to the previous verses, it almost seems as if the statements made in this verse came about because Paul was no longer among them. When he was there several years earlier, they were not in a state of peace. When Paul returned, they – at least at first – were wary of him. His zeal for the Lord also brought about difficulties with the Hellenists who then tried to kill him.
 
But their animosity toward Paul would naturally lead to that same feeling toward others who Paul identified with. As such, the Lord had Paul removed from the area in order for them to grow without him. This would give Israel a chance to accept this message or reject it apart from him. At the same time, he would be out among the Gentiles evangelizing them.
 
Eventually, it would be seen that Israel would not accept Jesus in the time allotted by God (see Luke 11:29-32). This was a period of forty years (a day for a year based on Jonah’s proclamation to Nineveh). By the time this period was over, the Gentiles would be ready to take the helm of carrying the gospel forward.
 
Everything finds its proper place, and God continues to work out His plans according to His infinite wisdom. We do not need to fret or fear that things are not working out as they should. They are. We just need to continue to trust that God is in control. He is doing things that we may not even realize. In the end, we will see the wisdom of it all.
 
Lord God, how precious it is to know that You are leading things. If it were up to us, it all would have fallen apart eons ago. But things are getting done because You are directing things to a good end. Help us to trust this when things don’t appear that way from our perspective. We have a sure place of trust in Your guiding hand. Thank You for that. Amen.

Acts 9:30

Sunday, 14 August 2022
 
When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Acts 9:30
 
The last verse revealed that the Hellenists had determined to kill Saul (Paul). With that, Luke now records, “When the brethren found out.” These words show that either Saul had already heard the threats and ignored them or that someone simply heard, and it became more widely known among the brethren.
 
The first option is not unlikely. Saul had a defiant streak in him that will be seen again and again in Acts. A good example of this is found in Acts 21 –
 
“And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”’
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’” Acts 21:10-14
 
However, the second option is also something that occurs elsewhere in Acts –
 
“And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. 14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, ‘We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.’
16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, ‘Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.’ 18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, ‘Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.’” Acts 23:12-18
 
One way or another, the word concerning a threat to his life would get around and either Saul would ignore the danger, or he would have someone work on his behalf to get him out of it. In this case, it next says, “they brought him down to Caesarea.”
 
Instead of staying in order to continue to challenge these belligerent and threatening Hellenists, Saul leaves Jerusalem and travels to Caesarea. A trip from Jerusalem to anywhere else is always considered traveling “down.” As for the location, this is Caesarea Maritima which is a port by the sea. It was built by Herod the Great around 22-9BC. Its ruins are still there today including the great aqueduct and the amphitheater along with many other areas of note. A short video on the location that is well worth watching can be seen at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ71dph8qE8
 
Another point about these words, “and they brought him down,” is that Saul is almost always seen being conducted by others. This could be chalked up to simply protecting his life from the Hellenists. However, due to the frequency of such comments, it appears that Saul was not suited to traveling alone. Instead, when Acts is taken as a whole, it seems to appear that he required assistance getting from one place to another. Regardless of this, though, it was certainly a testament that they had accepted Saul and it validated that they believed he had truly become one of them. With that, it next says they “sent him out to Tarsus.”
 
This is where Saul was from, and it had now been an extended period since he had been there. A period of at least four years, and maybe more, had gone by since his being in Tarsus. The narrative will return to Jerusalem after this verse, but Saul’s time away is referred to by him in Galatians 1 –
 
“Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, ‘He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.’ 24 And they glorified God in me.” Galatians 1:21-24
 
While in Tarsus, he certainly would have evangelized others, and he went into these other regions as well. During this time, he probably took up his old source of employment which was making tents. It is something he could do anywhere, and it would pay for his travels as he went. During his time in Syria and Cilicia, he obviously had made converts. This can be deduced from Acts 15:41. There, it records details of the second missionary journey and refers to churches not mentioned on the first missionary journey –
 
“And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” Acts 14:39-41
 
It is probable that these churches were established by Saul before he is reconnected with the details provided by Luke in Acts.
 
Life application: Even when out of the main picture of Acts, it is seen through a careful study that Paul was always staying active in his evangelism. It is not uncommon to hear someone say today, “I just need to get away from it all for a while.” This is even seen among Pastors who take a “sabbatical” in order to unwind. Such a notion was unheard of to Paul. There was no unwinding but rather a constant focus on his life’s mission.
 
Paul evangelized while in prison. He evangelized while traveling. He evangelized at the synagogues on the Sabbath and to both Jews and Gentiles throughout the week. It didn’t matter where he was or what secondary thing he was engaged in, he was telling people about Jesus. With prosperity, we have forgotten what it means to be focused. When enough time for a vacation is earned, we drop every remembrance of what we have been focused on and redirect to time away. How blessed we are that we can do this, but how unfortunate if we don’t carry the message of Jesus along with us.
 
Regardless of where we are going and what other things we are doing, let us not forget to continue to let people know our allegiance to Jesus and then share why we hold to it. As we travel, we may be the only ones the people we encounter will ever talk to about Jesus. If not we, then who?
 
Lord God, how faithful You have been to us. We called on You when we heard the gospel, and You saved us. Now, it is our turn to tell others about this same wonderful message of hope. May we get about it and tell! People need to hear this good and precious news. So be with us and prompt us to do so. To Your glory! Amen.

Acts 9:29

Saturday, 13 August 2022
 
And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. Acts 9:29
 
The previous verse noted that Saul (Paul) was with those at Jerusalem, and he was coming in and going out. With that remembered, it now says, “And he spoke boldly.” The verb is a present participle. It says, “speaking boldly.” He spoke and he continued to speak in order to convey the truth of what he now knew. As such, his words were “in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
 
Saul had become a defender of the name he once tried to destroy. Many of those in Jerusalem would surely have known him personally, and this would have had a great effect on them in one way or another. Some might have been curious about the change while others may have assumed he had flipped out. No matter what they thought, however, his words were surely based on Scripture. His life as a Pharisee gave him a great and detailed knowledge of the word.
 
As the word is what reveals Jesus, it is evident that when He came, if He was truly the Messiah, the word would bear out this fact. All Saul needed to do was to show how Scripture foretold what these people had seen firsthand.
 
This may not have been evident at first. It wasn’t to those who knew Jesus personally. As it says in Luke 24 –
 
“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44, 45
 
This is just what Saul is doing with those of Jerusalem who were aware of the things Jesus did. He was attempting to open their minds so that they too might understand the Scriptures. However, people will argue against the obvious. As it next says, Saul “disputed against the Hellenists.” The NKJV, following the error of the KJV, leaves out a word. The Greek reads, “he was both speaking and disputing with.”
 
Saul would engage the Hellenists, those Jews who spoke the Greek language, and he would dispute with them concerning the matter of Christ. By this time, the Greek-speaking Jews were as much at odds against the issue of Jesus being their Messiah as were the Hebrew-speaking Jews. Saul engaged both in order to reveal to them that Jesus truly is the Messiah who had been prophesied. However, the Hellenists were as unwilling as the Hebrew-speaking Jews to accept the message. Because of this, Luke notes that “they attempted to kill him.”
 
The Greek word, epicheireó, means “to take in hand,” thus it would rightly be translated as “to undertake.” They set forth a plan to kill him, and then they undertook to follow through with the plan.
 
The irony here is that Saul stood and guarded the garments of those who stoned Stephen, and now this same man stood defending Jesus as the Christ – just as Stephen did – and he was now facing being killed by his own Jewish brethren as well. This is seen in the use of the word “disputed.” The only other time it is used in Acts is in verse 6:9 –
 
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.” Acts 6:8, 9
 
This verse now (9:29) is the last time the word is used in Scripture, and it reveals the truly ironic nature of what has taken place. God’s word will be proclaimed. When Stephen could no longer do so, a man who was on the opposite side of his disputing was called by the Lord to continue with the task.
 
Life application: There is a time to dispute a matter and then there is a time to let a matter go. Some people simply want to hear themselves speak. It doesn’t matter how cogent of an argument you put forth, they will continue to ignore the truth and spout off the party line of whatever it is they believe.
 
Stephen and Paul were willing to dispute with their people in order to convince them concerning Jesus, but it cost Stephen his life, and it threatened to do so to Paul as well. There is nothing wrong with dying for what you believe, but there is a time when you might as well just close your mouth and shake the dust off your feet. Until such people decide they could be wrong, they will never give an inch.
 
A good way to set the parameters for disputing is to ensure you are talking apples to apples. If someone constantly brings in matters that have nothing to do with the issue at hand, then you are truly wasting your time. You must dispute the same issue for there to be any sound resolution.
 
For example, if you are making a case about Jesus and you are doing so from the Greek New Testament, a person may say, “But Jesus spoke Hebrew. He was actually thinking this...” That is apples to oranges. Greek is what the New Testament was written in. If you cannot agree to have your basis for a dispute by even using the same language, then there is no reason – at all – to continue with your disputing.
 
Be wise, be discerning, and be patient with those you are speaking to about Jesus. But also, don’t be a time waster with know-it-alls. You will never win your argument, and you will be wasting your own valuable time in the process.
 
Lord God, help us to be strong in our defense of Your word, but may we never waste time in the process. And so, help us to use wisdom to know when to speak and when to refrain from continuing with our words. Be with us in this, O God. Amen.  

Acts 9:28

Friday, 12 August 2022
 
So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. Acts 9:28
 
The previous verse saw Barnabas defending Saul, noting how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Barnabas’ words were obviously effective, because it next says of Saul, “So he was with them at Jerusalem.”
 
In other words, the word of Barnabas was sufficient to convince them that Paul was no longer a threat but rather a true brother in Christ and a defender of the faith. As such, Luke notes that Saul was “coming in and going out.”
 
The words mean he had freedom of access among the believers. As noted, only Peter was there as an apostle along with James the Lord’s brother. Any disciples that were there came to accept that Paul was truly converted and so Paul’s going out and coming in was as a member of a family. Also, Galatians 1:18 notes that this time in Jerusalem lasted for fifteen days. The reason for such a short visit will be explained in the verses to come.
 
Life application: Barnabas’ words of recommendation for Paul were sufficient to convince Peter and James that he was converted. From there, he was accepted. On the other hand, if someone were to bring a charge against another, the Bible requires two or three witnesses. The testimony of one is not sufficient.
 
This is important to remember because people may have an agenda, they may get angry at others, hurt by others, or simply have a misunderstanding with others. In this, it is easy to make a charge against someone that is untrue. Accepting a false charge from one person can cause permanent damage and it can even divide an entire church. Remember this and never allow a root of bitterness to arise within the church. Be sure there is suitable proof of a matter before you accept the words of anyone.
 
Lord God, we pray for peace in our congregations as we come together to worship You. If there is someone with an ax to grind, we pray that their false charges not become a point of division. Help us to weed out that which is untrue so that we can fellowship in joy with those we meet together with. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Acts 9:27

Thursday, 11 August 2022
 
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:27
 
The previous verse noted Saul’s coming to Jerusalem and trying to join the disciples, but they were all wary of him because of his past. With that, Luke continues, saying, “But Barnabas.” It is unknown how there came to be a connection between the two that allowed Barnabas to accept him while no others did.
 
One speculation is that they previously knew one another. As Barnabas was originally from Cyprus (Acts 4:36) and Saul is from Tarsus, it is possible they received schooling together. It also could be that Barnabas had actually been to Damascus and had met Saul (Paul) during his time there. Or Barnabas may have been informed of this by someone else who was fully aware of the situation. Regardless of what brought the two together, Barnabas sided with Saul and “took him and brought him to the apostles.”
 
Here is where Paul’s words of Galatians 1:18, 19 fill in the missing information –
 
“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.”
 
Paul told those in Galatia that he only encountered Peter and James. It could be that the other apostles had gone out to see how things were going elsewhere. This has already occurred in Acts 8 where Peter and John went to Samaria after the Samaritans had believed. For this or whatever other reason, these are the only two that Saul encountered at the time. After being brought to the apostles it says, “And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road.”
 
The “he” here appears to be Barnabas. It is he who gave the overall narrative which would have been explained in detail by Saul. As for having seen the Lord on the road, it is an obvious place to start. In Acts 9:2, Saul was going to Damascus to arrest any who were of the Way (Greek: hodos). Now it says in this verse that while he was on the road (Greek: hodos), he encountered the Lord. The similarity between Saul’s encounter and that of Balaam recorded in Numbers 22 may have come to the apostles’ minds while hearing his words.
 
The Lord was standing in the way (Hebrew: derek) of Balaam and his donkey. Eventually, the Lord appeared to him and said, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way [Hebrew: derek] is perverse before Me” (Numbers 22:32).
 
Peter will later refer to the account of Balaam (2 Peter 2:15), showing that he was fully aware of the story. As such, the apostles have past precedent from Scripture to demonstrate that the Lord does directly intervene in such a manner in order to bring about a desired change in an outcome. With this in mind, Luke continues with the explanation of Saul’s conversion, saying, “and that He had spoken to him.”
 
A calling was made, and a conversation continued during that calling. Barnabas relayed this to the apostles and Saul probably gave a full and exacting account of what was said to him in order to convince them that what occurred was true and reliable. With that, the words of the verse finish with, “and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”
 
In order for Barnabas to relay this to Peter and James, he had to have been aware of it from someone other than Paul. Throughout Acts, Saul is almost always noted as being accompanied by others. It appears that he was unable to venture out alone, maybe because of a physical affliction such as bad eyesight.
 
Because of this, it is unlikely that Saul traveled from Damascus to Jerusalem alone. As such, it leads credence to the thought (above) that Barnabas had either personally met with Saul in Damascus or that he had personally talked with someone who had accompanied him back from Damascus. No matter what, Barnabas was fully qualified to testify to the truth of the matter and that Paul had been a bold witness for the name of Jesus in Damascus.
 
As for the words “preached boldly,” they come from a new word in Scripture, parrésiazomai. It will be seen seven times in Acts and then again in Ephesians 6:20 and 1 Thessalonians 2:2. It is derived from the word parrésia, meaning freedom, openness, etc. Hence, this word means “to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor” (Strong’s).
 
Paul’s words were not just a show, but they were words of confidence that what he proclaimed was absolutely true and verifiable. Having been a Pharisee, he had the knowledge necessary to make the connections from Scripture that fully supported the notion that Jesus is Lord and that He is the fulfillment of all that the Hebrew Scriptures proclaimed.
 
Life application: You, or someone you know, may feel unacceptable to speak out concerning Jesus because of what occurred in the past. You may have belittled Christians or harmed them in some way. Because of this, you may feel unworthy of doing anything within the church except sit in the pew and listen. But this is exactly the opposite of what the Bible reveals.
 
The change that occurs in a person is intended to be a complete change. Where you were belittled, you can now build up. Where you were harmed, you can now provide healing. The past is gone. As Paul says –
 
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
 
God has saved you through the giving of His Son. The internal change that has taken place can, and should, be used to help others in the same way. Be willing to open up about your past, tell others who you were and who you are now, and give them confidence that they too are acceptable to God because of what Jesus has done.
 
Lord God, even the very best of us were totally corrupt before You. We had no chance of ever standing in Your presence. But then came Jesus. Our lives are changed, and we have put on garments of righteousness – His righteousness – in order to be acceptable to You. May we never hold back from telling others about this glorious transformation. Thank You for the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts 9:26

Wednesday, 10 August 2022
 
And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. Acts 9:26
 
The previous verse had Saul (Paul) being let down through the wall of the city of Damascus in a large basket. We now see where he went after leaving there. Luke records, “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem.”
 
As was noted in verse 9:19, Saul probably was converted, immediately went to Arabia, returned to Damascus and preached, and then was forced to leave “after many days.” From there, he went to Jerusalem. However, some say that he was converted, stayed in Damascus for an extended period, left there, and went to Arabia. After his time in Arabia, he then went to Jerusalem.
 
That is less likely and does not fit with Paul’s words of Galatians 1 where he says –
 
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.” Galatians 1:15-18
 
The two accounts fit more naturally with 1) conversion, 2) immediate trip to Arabia, 3) return to Damascus for “many days” (meaning Arabia and Damascus totaled three years – Galatians 1), and then 4) trip to Jerusalem. This, not the other scenario, properly reconciles Acts and Galatians. Now, while having finally returned to Jerusalem after such a long time, it says, “he tried to join the disciples.”
 
Nothing is said here of how he did this, nor is it explained in Galatians. But it may be as simple as having gone to wherever they met, knocked on the door, and tried to sit down and fellowship with them. However, it says, “but they were all afraid of him.”
 
Imagining the scenario just mentioned, we could see a couple of the disciples coming to the door and saying, “Yeah, we know who you are. You’ve come to spy on us and have us arrested.” There was terror in seeing him and remembering what he had previously done. Continuing on with that thought, it next says, “and did not believe that he was a disciple.”
 
Paul probably protested that he had been converted and was a changed man, but the fear of the past wouldn’t allow them to believe that he was sincere. Rather, they probably thought it was a ploy to get them to let their guard down, and then they would all be rounded up and arrested. This is all speculation, but it fits the idea of what Luke records.
 
The next few verses do not contradict what is now recorded. Here, the word “disciples” is used. In the next verse, and in Galatians 1, the word “apostles” is used. As such, the two accounts can be reconciled as the same visit without any difficulty. That will be seen when those verses are looked at.
 
Life application: The verses of Acts 9 are a long series of narrative style writing. Throughout the entire chapter, whether the focus is on Saul or Peter (coming later in the chapter), nothing is prescribed. This is generally how Acts is written. It is a recorded account of what occurred in the early church.
 
There are several healings (and raising the dead in one case) in Acts 9 which are then taken by churches and used as examples of how to heal others, claiming that all we need is faith to do what the apostles did.
 
The problem with this is that nothing in Acts 9 is prescriptive. Nobody takes the account of Paul being let down in a basket through a window in the wall as something that we should be doing. And yet, it is in the same narrative format as Peter’s healing of Tabitha later in the chapter (Acts 9:36-43).
 
Let us remember the context of passages when we evaluate them and let us remember the style of writing that is used. What is the purpose of what is being said? Why did the Lord include a particular story? How is it relevant to the greater story?
 
Be sure to ask such questions. The answer to them will then remind you that what is stated is not telling us to do the same thing, nor is it giving us instruction on how to do those things. It makes as much sense to use Peter’s healing of Aeneas (Acts 9:33-35) for a class on healing as it does to use the story of Paul’s escape from Damascus to have a class on basket weaving.
 
Stick to what is reasonable, and don’t get sidetracked by people who claim what is clearly not theirs to claim. For right doctrine, consult the epistles.
 
Heavenly Father, Acts is such a wonderful book. Thank You for how it confirms the things later referred to in the epistles so that we have a sure and reasonable account of what occurred and why these stories given in Acts will later help with the explanation of right doctrine in the epistles. Each book has its purpose. So, help us to use them accordingly. Amen.
 

Acts 9:25

Tuesday, 9 August 2022
 
Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. Acts 9:25
 
Because of the plot to kill Paul, and because the gates were watched day and night, we now read, “Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.” The action of the verse is missing in this translation. Young’s gives a better sense –
 
“and the disciples having taken him, by night did let him down by the wall, letting down in a basket.”
 
Because of this, Young’s will be used to understand what is going on. The words, therefore, begin with, “and the disciples having taken him.”
 
It wasn’t just a sudden knee-jerk reaction, but a carefully planned event. They were able to secure what was needed, they were able to have an appropriate location for what they planned, and they had taken Paul and readied him. From there, it says, “by night did let him down by the wall.”
 
Rather than “by the wall,” as if they used the wall to sort of help the process of rappelling down, it says, “through the wall.” This is understood from 2 Corinthians 11:33 –
 
“but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.”
 
During the night when no one would be able to see what was going on, the disciples were able to help Paul with his escape in this manner. The sense is that there was either a window directly in the wall of the city that could be barred up during a siege, or the sides of the house rose above the wall of the city and there was a window in the wall that would allow for this to take place. Both are seen in walled cities of antiquity. Luke then finishes the thought with, “letting down in a basket.”
 
The Greek word is spuris. It is a large basket such as was seen in Matthew 15:37 during the feeding of the four thousand by Jesus. It would have been plaited or braided and it could have been made of rope or possibly wicker.
 
Because of its size, some translations add in a descriptor and say, “large basket.”
 
Life application: In 1 Corinthians 11, the whole paragraph concerning Paul’s adventure says –
 
“If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.” 1 Corinthians 11:30-33
 
Paul ties in the lowering of him down in this manner with his “infirmity.” In other words, he was unlike the spies of Israel who went into Jericho. There it says –
 
“Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. 16 And she said to them, ‘Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.’” Joshua 2:15, 16
 
These two spies were young (Joshua 6:23) and capable of rappelling down the wall by themselves. Paul was not. He was infirm and had to be let down in a basket, probably something that he was lovingly razzed about over the subsequent years. The tone of his words somewhat points to a state of ridicule over the event.
 
Despite the humor, the point is that Paul was assisted by others in his ministry in a way that seems unimportant to it, and yet it could not have continued without this happening. As such, the most seemingly innocuous assistance at one point in time may turn out to be something of the greatest importance later in time.
 
Therefore, we should not dismiss our seemingly small and relatively unimportant help in the church. What you do may not be noticed, it may not appear huge or grandiose, but consider the fact that if you don’t do the things you do, that may have the greatest impact on other things that are visibly great to people’s eyes. Well, if those things didn’t get done without you, then aren’t your efforts a critical part of what was finally realized?
 
Be content that you and your efforts, like the unnamed disciples that helped Paul because of his infirmities, are ultimately having the greatest impact in the lives of others.
 
Lord God, when we go out to a nice restaurant, it wouldn’t be a great experience if the dishes were to come out with food from someone’s previous meal still on them. The clean dishes had to get that way somehow. The things that seem unimportant actually have great value in the finished product. Help us to understand this concerning our own lives in the church. May our small contributions have a great and lasting effect. Amen!
 

Acts 9:24

Monday, 8 August 2022
 
But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Acts 9:24
 
It was previously seen that the Jews plotted to kill Saul (Paul). That now continues with, “But their plot became known to Saul.” Luke states this as a fact but without explaining how it became known. The odds are that if it was divinely revealed, Luke would have noted that as he does elsewhere. Hence, it was probably through someone having heard about it and then having passed it on. Regardless of this, Luke continues by saying, “And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.”
 
This would explain the plot having been discovered by Paul. He had been there three years and walked about in freedom. Eventually, the Jews decided to do away with him, he heard about it, they realized he had heard, and so they began watching the gates in case he attempted to escape.
 
In 2 Corinthians 11:32, Paul provides more information about this event, saying, “In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me.”
 
It is unknown what the connection between the Jews and the governor was, but he was either a Jew or he was sympathetic to the words of the Jews and so he ensured guards were posted in order to apprehend Saul on their behalf.
 
Life application: Paul faced difficulties, but the Lord brought him through them in order to ensure His message got out as it should. When Paul’s ministry was complete and he had served his time, his life ended, and others continued carrying on the message. This will continue until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in according to God’s plan. When that occurs, the Lord will call His church home.
 
We can expectantly await that day without getting anxious and without trying to predict when it will be. The Lord is simply not going to tell us when the rapture will occur. The best thing to do concerning rapture date setters is to ignore them.
 
There is work to be done, learning should go on, and the days will continue to pass as they always have until then. So why fritter away your time with idle speculation? Live your life in hopeful anticipation, but with the notion that just as today might be the day, today might also not be the day. Live your life with both in mind.
 
Lord God, the working out of Your plan for the church has been in progress for thousands of years. It may come to its completion today, or it may go on for quite some time. We will hope for the former but prepare for the latter. Help us to be responsible with our time as we wait upon the Lord. Amen.
 

Acts 9:23

Sunday, 7 August 2022
 
Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. Acts 9:23
 
The previous verse indicated that Saul (Paul) was able to prove to the Jews in Damascus that Jesus is the Christ, confounding them. With that, Luke presents their reaction, beginning with, “Now after many days were past.”
 
Without knowing a complete chronology of what Saul did and where he traveled, it is impossible to know for certain what “many days” means, but Saul may indicate what it means in his words of Galatians 1 –
 
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.” Galatians 1:15-18
 
Saul leaves out details that will next be seen in Acts, but Acts provides details that Saul does not refer to in his letter to the Galatians, though he does refer to them elsewhere. In verse 9:26, it does say that he will go to Jerusalem, and so the two appear to match. Thus, the “many days” appears to be a period of about three years. It is after this lengthy period of confounding the Jews that “the Jews plotted to kill him.”
 
Notice the parallel here to that of Stephen in Acts 6 –
 
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.’” Acts 6:8-14
 
Saul, like Stephen before him, confounded the Jews with his wisdom, and the Jews plotted to kill him just as they plotted to kill Stephen. The difference is that Saul is now on the receiving end of what he once participated in.
 
Life application: Paul’s letters repeatedly speak of suffering by those who are in Christ. In 2 Timothy 3:12, he states this explicitly, giving the reason for it, saying, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
 
This is not the kind of thing that you will normally hear during a Sunday sermon. There are preachers that convey this message, but for the most part other things – happier things – are often focused on. That is too bad because Paul’s words are given to prepare faithful followers of the Lord for such events. Without hearing them analyzed, those in the church who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be unprepared for it and may wonder why something so strange would happen to them.
 
Life in Christ is one of hope. It is one of faith in what lies ahead. This life may or may not be filled with blessing, and it is one – if lived faithfully – is sure to see suffering. The devil wants nothing more than to rob the joy and the testimony of Christians away from them. Or he will misdirect them through false teachings of prosperity and wealth so that they will be ineffective in a godly, faithful walk.
 
Be content with what you have, be encouraged in the Lord, and be steadfast with your eyes firmly fixed on Him. Put on the whole armor of God and be prepared for your day, each day, by carrying with you the thought that what Christ promises for the next life will be worth whatever you face in this one.
 
Heavenly Father, help us to walk contentedly before You all our days. Whether we see blessing and abundance or suffering and loss, may we keep our eyes on Jesus and our hearts and affections directed to You through Him. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
 

Acts 9:22

Saturday, 6 August 2022
 
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Acts 9:22
 
The previous verses indicated that Saul (Paul) preached Christ in the synagogues and those who heard were amazed because they knew of his previous life. With that context, it now says, “But Saul increased all the more in strength.”
 
The word translated as “strength” is an imperfect verb, saying something like, “But Saul was strengthened all the more.” The idea here is that as he preached, the effects of what he said became more and more evident and his case was meticulously built up. It may also include the thought of his own moral character increasing with each presentation of the gospel and proper doctrine. But it appears this is most expressly referring to his argument from Scripture. This thought is bolstered by the next words, saying, “and confounded the Jews.”
 
Again, the verb is imperfect, showing that it was an ongoing process. He “was confounding the Jews.” He didn’t just come up with an argument about his doctrine that was pulled completely out of context and say, “See this shows that what I am saying is true.” Such a presentation would be easily revealed as false. On the contrary, he was clearly taking things in context, he was being strengthened in his presentation by doing so, and he was confounding those who could not refute what he was saying.
 
Because Saul was a Pharisee, he was fully versed in the content of Scripture. He had just been looking at it through the wrong lens until his eyes were opened. Once he realized that it truly is all about Jesus, the ancient passages opened up in a new and irrefutable way. This is the idea of what is being said while debating the Jews “who dwelt in Damascus.”
 
Saul was willing to spend the time needed while using his newly acquired spiritual implements of warfare against those he was once allied with. This, instead of physical arms and implements that he once used against his now fellow believers. The irony is palpable. And these spiritual implements were fully capable of “proving that this Jesus is the Christ.”
 
This is a new word in Scripture, sumbibazó, it is formed from the words sun (together with) and basis (a step and thus a foot). As such, it gives the sense of walking in accord. Saul is taking Scripture and identifying it with Jesus and there is found to be a complement (a walking together) between the two. Vincent’s Word Studies explains this work more fully –
 
“The verb means to bring or put together: hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Ephesians 4:16. In Colossians 2:2, of being knit together in love. In 1 Corinthians 2:16, of instructing, building up, by putting together.”
 
As for the words, “the Christ,” they are used as an appellative. Too often people assume Jesus Christ is a name, but it is a title. Jesus is the Christ, meaning the Messiah, or – more precisely – He is “the Anointed One.” Saul’s handling of Scripture clearly and poignantly demonstrated that this is the case. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that Scripture is pointing to.
 
Life application: When evangelizing certain people groups, especially Jews, you must use a common reference in order to establish a baseline for what you are presenting. Jews, as a people, have already rejected the New Testament. Very few will say, “Let me see what the New Testament says,” and then readily accept it, although it has been known to happen.
 
Rather, if you are going to convince a Jew that Jesus is the Christ, you will need to be well versed enough in the Old Testament to show them directly from their own Scriptures that He is the fulfillment of what is presented there. And this may be true with Muslims and others as well. Though many Muslims believe that both testaments of Scripture are corrupted, many do accept (or are simply unsure) that the Old Testament is valid. By taking time to show them what the Old Testament says about the coming Christ, you can then use the New to show them that He fulfills what was prophesied.
 
For others, it is possible to take the Jews’ rejection of Jesus and use that as a basis for the fact that Jesus really is what Scripture proclaims. By showing that the Jews’ failure to see what is perfectly evident right in their own Scriptures was prophesied in advance (and explained in the New Testament), one can clearly demonstrate that Scripture is self-validating. In other words, even the Jews’ national rejection of Jesus confirms the truth of Scripture. From there, showing that Jesus is the reason they were exiled and punished gives the basis for believing that He truly is the Messiah of Israel.
 
Don’t give up if someone initially rejects your gospel presentation. If he is willing to continue listening, try another avenue and press on. The main thing to remember is that all of Scripture points to Jesus. As long as you are proclaiming Jesus, you are speaking of what the Bible is pointing to. Keep on telling about Jesus!
 
Lord God, what a wonderful treasure of love and delight is found in Your word. You are conveying to us the words of life and restoration, and it is all based upon what You have done through the giving of Your Son. Thank You for Jesus who truly is making all things new! Amen.

Acts 9:21

Friday, 5 August 2022
 
Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” Acts 9:21
 
Following the translation of the KJV, the tense of the verbs in the NKJV doesn’t give the sense of the Greek at all. A better translation that more closely follows the original will be used –
 
“And all those hearing were amazed and were saying, ‘Is this not the one having ravaged those in Jerusalem calling on this name? And he had come here for this, that he might bring them, having been bound, to the chief priests.’” (Berean Literal Bible)
 
The last verse noted Saul immediately preaching the Christ in the synagogues, noting that He is the Son of God. With that, the narrative continues with, “And all those hearing were amazed.”
 
Who “all those” are is not stated. It is certain from the words that the preponderance of them are nonbelieving Jews. However, it also seems to appear from the words of this verse that those nonbelievers didn’t have any real animosity with those who professed Christ. They may have even continued on harmoniously together while simply disagreeing on the part about Jesus.
 
As for Saul, his conversion had taken place. From there, it is speculated (see commentary on the previous two verses) that he went to Arabia, received his revelation from the Lord, and returned to Damascus where he then immediately began his preaching. It can be certain, based on his time as a Pharisee, that his knowledge while preaching was precise and irrefutable.
 
His words would leave no doubt as to the message he was conveying. Not only did he preach that the Christ (Jesus) is the Son of God, but he would be able to fully support his words with Scripture. Because of this, those who were hearing him “were saying, ‘Is this not the one having ravaged those in Jerusalem calling on this name?’”
 
The knowledge of Saul’s past actions had become well known among the Jews of Damascus. He was intolerant of those who professed faith in Christ, and he treated them violently. The Greek word, portheó, translated as “having ravaged” is found only here and then twice in Galatians 1. It is a word indicating to destroy, lay waste, or make havoc of. Saul (Paul) will later use this same word to describe his own actions –
 
“For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.” Galatians 1:13 (see also Galatians 1:23)
 
The very name (Jesus, the Christ) that they had proclaimed, and which Saul desired to lay waste, is the same name that he now openly proclaimed. It was beyond their comprehension that this was occurring. And not only had he tried to eliminate this name in Jerusalem, but they continued, saying, “And he had come here for this.”
 
Saul was willing to travel beyond the borders of Israel to destroy any and all who avowed the name of Jesus. And he had come to Damascus for this very purpose. And now, here he is in Damascus proclaiming the very name that he had worked to destroy. And this wasn’t just a personal rage against Christ. It had the approval of the leadership, and he was a Pharisee. Hence, he had come under authority “that he might bring them, having been bound, to the chief priests.”
 
With the full weight and authority of the priesthood (it is plural to most likely indicate those who served as high priest in the past and who still wielded authority as well as the current high priest) Paul was commissioned to bring an end to the faith. The incredible nature of his openly professing this name now mystified any and all who heard. There may even have been a degree of skepticism in their minds as to whether this was a ploy to flush out those who believed.
 
Life application: One of the unique things about the truly converted in Christ is that there is often a sudden and dramatic break from their ways of the past. For nonbelievers who see this change, there may be the idea that their friend has gone bonkers (which is actually not untrue because he has gone bonkers for Christ – see 2 Corinthians 5:13).
 
For other believers, there may be joy, skepticism, wariness, and so on. It all depends on who the person was. For example, if he was a scam artist, it could be skepticism that he is using his “newfound faith” as a means of enriching himself. However, after a while, the true fruit of his conversion will be seen for what it is.
 
There is such an amazing degree of freedom in Christ that it is often inexpressible. To know that the weight of the debt of one’s sin is erased can be beyond words. And so, actions step in and fill the void. This is a marvelous period in the new believer’s life, but it must also be tempered with the understanding that sound theology and right doctrine does not come through a sudden conversion. Instead, it must be developed over time.
 
And so, it is both important to not quench this new and excited faith, but it is also important to not let this young believer start spouting off doctrine that is unsound. It is also why Paul instructs us concerning those who are young in the faith, saying that an overseer should not be a “novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6, 7).
 
When you see a new believer who has gone bonkers for Christ, rejoice in his conversion and yet be willing to temper his new faith with the understanding that there is a lot to be learned in order to be an effective communicator of proper doctrine. In other words, fan the fire while also not adding too much fuel to it at one time.
 
Lord God, help us to be sound mentors of those who come into the faith so that they are properly discipled in order to effectively communicate their newfound faith to others. May we not quench their zeal, while at the same time, may we help them to keep from running ahead and falling into ruin. Yes, help us in this, O Lord. Amen. 

Acts 9:20

Thursday, 4 August 2022
 
Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Acts 9:20
 
It was seen in the analysis of the previous verse that Saul’s (Paul’s) trip to Mt. Sinai in Arabia probably occurred between the two clauses of the verse –
 
So when he had received food, he was strengthened.
* Journey to Arabia.
Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
 
With that being likely, the next words now fall into their proper place, saying, “Immediately he preached.”
 
Saul had (presumably) received his instruction from the Lord in Arabia and was now well versed in the doctrines he would proclaim for the rest of his life. Therefore, and upon his return, he immediately preached in Damascus concerning “the Christ.”
 
It is to be noted that many manuscripts here say “Jesus” instead of “the Christ.” That would appear to fit more naturally, and it would be in accord with his preaching noted in Acts 13:16-41 where the term Christ is not used. Instead, it says “Jesus” twice. Hence, it is possible this is the original wording. However, because it would be wholly unnatural for a scribe to change “Jesus” to “Christ,” it makes one wonder if the word “Christ” is actually the original. Further, the word “Christ” is “Messiah” in Hebrew, and it would be the thought on the minds of those attending.
 
Even if they spoke Greek or some other language in the synagogues of Damascus, there would always be certain words that were carried over in the thinking of the people, mashiakh, or the Messiah, being one of them. That remains true to this day. Therefore, it is quite possible that Saul was carefully explaining to them the doctrine of the Messiah, who is Jesus, rather than Jesus, who is the Messiah. In other words, he would first explain to them that Scripture foretold the coming of Messiah and “that He is the Son of God.”
 
If this is what Saul was doing at this early stage of his instruction, he is clearly setting forth the proposition that the Messiah is not simply a son of David, but that He is God incarnate. As such, it would explain why Jesus didn’t just come to liberate the Jews from their enemies, but that He came to deal with their greatest enemy, sin.
 
If “Jesus” is the true reading, then it would be that his preaching focused on Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the Messianic promises and that Israel had, thus far, missed this fact. The resurrection proves that He is the Messiah, and thus that He is the Son of God.
 
Either way, the result is ultimately the same. Looking ahead for an answer which is correct would tend to favor “Jesus” –
 
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
 
But Barnabas took him and brought himto the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
 
In verse 22, the name “Jesus” is inserted for clarity. It would appear that the verse is dependent on verse 20 giving the name which has not yet been otherwise provided. In verse 27, it clearly says that Paul preached in the name of Jesus.
 
If “Jesus” is the original, the error in translation may have simply come from a scribe seeing the word “Christ” in verse 20 while looking at the wrong line of the manuscript (a common error) and wrote that into this line now. Again, however, nothing is ultimately lost in either. Jesus is the Messiah, and the Messiah is Jesus. What transpired, and how Saul proclaimed his message, was in a particular way in Damascus, but both paths of discussion are covered by him in his writings elsewhere.
 
Life application: The means of preparing manuscripts in the New Testament Greek was far different than that of how the Hebrew Old Testament was prepared. The Greek scribes were surely less concerned about precision than they were about getting the word out to as many as possible as quickly as possible.
 
If small errors crept into the manuscripts, it would seem as if all hope of proper doctrine is lost. However, in comparing the many manuscripts, it is very easy to identify where the error was originally entered into the text. As such, and due to the huge number of Greek texts, along with other early writings from those texts (such as lectionaries), the New Testament is to be considered far more reliable than any other ancient writing.
 
The places where error has crept in do not destroy any major theology in the faith. Those points of contention are all dealt with in other parts of the New Testament. We have a sure and faithful word. Be confident of this. What we are to know with absolute clarity is there for us to know, and it is known with absolute clarity.
 
Glorious God Almighty, may we always be confident in our faith in Jesus. Help us never to stray from our faith and help us never to get sidetracked by those who desire to tear apart Your precious word. It has been given, and it is sufficient for us in our life, hope, and doctrine. Thank You for Your wonderful word. Amen.